Recommended interactive white-board solutions

[NikChillin]

Hi,

We are looking into different hardware for projecting onto the white-board, interactive too, so we wondered if anyone has any recommendations? Mimio, EBeam edge, short throw interactive projectors etc. We currently use Promethean boards but some are quite old and failing.

[woody]

For the interactive solution, most schools are looking at LED touch TVs now as a complete replacement for the traditional interactive whiteboard. Promethean do a 65" and 70" so they are not much smaller than a whiteboard, and if you already have Promethean, it makes sense to keep the Active Inspire software going.

 

However, all depends on the budget of course. You will pay around 50% more on a complete install - traditional IWB and projector compared to touch TV - the last time I looked.

 

If you go for projectors, look at the LED ones as opposed to traditional lamps.

[NikChillin]

Thanks Woody, we are limited to about £1000.00 ish per room though.

[SYNACK]

We use the ultra short throw mimio projectors with light pens that should easily fit into your budget with room to spare and have decent software to, from teaching and tech prospective. Ours have a decent warrenty that covers laps also along with new lamps being a third the cost of comparable models. Comparitivly lampless ones don't last forever and cost a bomb to replace when they do go.

[woody]

Yes as Synack says for that budget you will be looking at an interactive projector. It's worth getting one on trial first to see how accurate the pen calibration is and to let a few staff give it the thumbs up.

[jmak]

On my list of things to try is a big TV plus tablet device as a replacement for our Smartboards. That should come in under £1000. The issue we'll have is software licences. Check that you won't have the same with Promethean - you might find that you're stuck with like for like unless you can persuade your staff to change software. Edited June 9, 2014 by jmak