Smartboard Alternatives

[Bob_the_Goon]

Hello,

 

I'm interested to hear your thoughts on alternatives to SmartBoards and SmartNotebook. We have a large, ageing fleet of Smartboards which we would like to replace on a rolling basis. I'm hesitant to replace them with Smartboards as I think they are are very expensive and underutilised in the school anyway.

 

Are there alternatives to both Smartboards and SmartNotebook that teachers have grown to like?

 

It will be interesting to hear from schools that have made this transition in the past, for better or worse.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Sagima]

We are currently trialing three epson interactive projectors with a view to using them to replace our smartboards.

The EB-595Wi is loved by the modern languages department (who were one of two smartboard departments) and it will probably replace each smartboard as they fail (bought with smart notebook licences).

The maths department is using an slightly older EB-480i I think, pen only, model in one of the classrooms and the feeling is that it's better* than a smartboard but they'd prefer a pen and finger model like modern languages.

The sixthform ICT suite also has an EB-480i but as the origianl tester/requester has now retired and noone has asked for training I'm not convinced anyone is actually using it

 

Our prep school fell in love with the Clevertouch screen but the SMT have decided that the technology needs to mature further (get cheaper) before we jump in so, as we need to replace 3 smartboards in the prep the interactive boards are being looked at as a possiblilty.

 

Biology trialled some 19" touch screen monitors a couple of years ago but there was no enthusiasm for them - as they fail or if they don't work with some later version of windows we'll probably swap them for the interactive projectors.

 

 

*"better" seems to mean brighter (not really the smartboard's fault), no lag on pen input or need to orient it each week.

 

We have about 30, mostly 680v2, smartboards from about 7 years ago. Most rooms are just basic whiteboard and projector.

 

editted:

 

I forgot to mention that the prep tried a few of the smart notebook alternatives and although displaynote was the best of those it was decided to stick with smart notebook for the next couple of years at least.

Edited October 24, 2014 by Sagima

[fiza]

Whiteboard software | Easiteach might be worth a look for an alternative to smartnotes.

Also Open Sankoré | The Free Interactive Whiteboard Software

[Bob_the_Goon]

Does the Sankore software support SmartNotebook files? I'm just thinking of how staff can migrate away from SmartNotebook.

[Clevertouch_Rob]

If you Export notebook files as .IWB you can import them into several different programs such as Lynx that comes with Clevertouch interactive screens.

[timp]

Basically comes down to three choices. Replace with more Smartnoards, interactive projectors or interactive flat panel display. On top of the hardware decision you then decide do you stick with notebook, or look for alternatives. Choice between the interactive projector or iFPD is principally cost vs longevity, the iFPD will lower cost overall with reduced power consumption and very long backlight life. Also with interactive projectors, lose the pen and face expensive replacement.

 

For software you can buy notebook licences separately at a cost. Alternatives, Easiteach is very comprehensive and can open notebook files directly. Its layout takes some getting used too. The common file format *.iwb will in theory convert and open files, but often fails to work properly at all, so I would ignore that. Open Sankore is fine, just another alternative. Asvwith any purchasing decision try and get on site demonstrations so you can make informed decisions.

[jmak]

Basically comes down to three choices. Replace with more Smartnoards, interactive projectors or interactive flat panel display.

 

I'm looking at all of these plus a left field option of big TV/non-interactive FPD plus tablet device. I would question how much you need to actually write on the board - every time you do, you turn your back on the class. Sure, you need to be able to display stuff you've made in advance and then annotate it in class, but if you use a tablet + TV set up, you stay facing the kids - and save a big wedge of cash. You should be able to get both for well under £1k. Still leaves the issue of software though - our teachers have years of lessons in notebook...

[Bob_the_Goon]

Thanks for your thoughts and advice so far.

 

Is anyone currently using a tablet and TV setup at the moment? What advantages/disadvantages have your staff encountered so far?

[wedemire]

We have a tablet and projector setup using wireless display/miracast in about 40 classrooms. We have been using this method over the past 3 years with Lenovo x220s, x230s and now Helixes. We currently use the netgear ptv3000 boxes connected to the projector to allow for widi or miracast....whatever the tablet/tablet laptop will support. This allows our staff to teach facing the students, teach from their desk, or walk around the room while teaching.

 

The technology is far from perfect. Windows 8.1 natively supporting miracast has helped, but many staff still have difficulties. The ptv3000 boxes often need to be rebooted and staff don't always remember to disconnect after they are finished protecting which will make the box unusable until rebooted. Most of our staff have a vga cable for backup.

 

Windows 7 wireless display is a gong show with the necessary Intel drivers. But I'm guessing most people now looking this direction would be going Windows 8.1.

 

I'm interested to try the new kindle fire stick and Microsoft's miracast dongle.