Interactive Touchscreens - General info

[mrwoberts]

A spin-off from another thread where lots of helpful info was given, so I thought I'd try to compile a post with some general infomation regarding Touchscreens. I'll try to steer away from opinion so please correct me where I err.

 

Size and Weight

Touchscreens are of the widescreen format, 16:9 for 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution; there will be exceptions.

So, the space they occupy will be obviously different than, say a SMART board SB660 64inch whiteboard that it may be replacing (4:3 format).

Some dimensions W x H x D mm for a 65inch Touchsceen are (1510 x 810 x 87),

whilst the 64inch Interactive Whiteboard is (1392 × 1058 × 130)

 

A comparison of the weight difference between those two examples

Touchscreen 65+ Kg

Whiteboard 10 Kg

 

Touchscreens are wide and heavy

 

Therefore, given the physical difference between the old and new technologies, you'd need to be sure the mounting surface is able to take the weight and width of the touchscreen.

It might also be worth checking if you'd need extra width to accommodate cabling, which I am told on some touchscreens protrudes past the side bezel of the screen (possibly product specific)

 

Installation

Unless you are comfortable and capable it is highly advisable to employ/seek the services of a professional install team. The bigger the screen the more it weighs and some require lifting equipment due to the weight and size of them.

 

On large installs, (1-4 screens is more difficult) most firms will generally want to do a site visit. This would not just be to look at the rooms and meet the client but to look at access routes. Due to the weight and size these screens are not easy to move. If you have a 3 storey school and are wanting a 84"/85" screen on the top floor this will need proper planning.

 

Operating Software

Most Touchscreens have an embedded OS, probably Android based, and can therefore operate independently from a connected device such as a laptop.

Conversely, Interactive whiteboards were generally dependant on your laptop to receive the communication, USB drivers to work and the manufacturers software to extend the capabilities, such as SMART Notebook.

This would seem to be a well-received feature of touchscreens, certainly from a teaching assistants point of view as they no longer need the teacher to leave their laptop connected...

However, for those schools/teachers that have countless Notebook based resources it needs to be considered that SMART Notebook requires an annual subscription per screen, or a site.

In the previous mentioned thread, one helpful member pointed out the online Express Notebook tool, http://express.smarttech.com/

Where you can View, Save and Interact with SMART Notebook files online, at no charge. (Limited Feature set)

 

SMART software is an interesting one. SMART software for many years has been available to purchase on a subscription basis. This could be 1YR, 2YR, 3YR. During the subscription period you are able to download the latest updates/version. When your subscription ends, the software will carry on work but feature like youtube integration will become read only. You are not forced to keep a subscription but without one you will not get any updates. For many schools they buy a 1-3yr license and then at the end just use the latest version for a period of time. With any new screen it is worth buying the latest version of SMART etc.

 

SMART Notebook is not restricted to just SMART hardware and so will work on a range of screens, the only restriction that does exist is with SMART INK which does only work on SMART hardware. in Theory all SMART notebook is, is a program like for example paint and all a touch screen really is, is a large tablet device. If it works on a tablet then it will work on a touch screen.

 

Maintenance

Well, it wasn’t the Interactive Whiteboard that needed the maintenance under the traditional setup, it was mainly the projector. With Touchscreens, you’re really only concerned with keeping the surface clean and contaminant free. Apparently, just using a dry cloth on the screen is sufficient.

 

Other considerations

Touchscreens do not have the same surface material as interactive whiteboards, perhaps that is obvious, but the ‘panel’ is a component where quality is everything. Choose a ‘cheap’ screen and you may well regret that purchase. You might be able to pick up a 65 inch touchscreen for £ 1,000, but you’d need to really check you facts before buying one that cheap. Consider that prices of a 65 inch screen from one reputable retailer range from £ 2,000 – £ 4,000

 

Anti-glare – this may be more important to some users than others, but worth mentioning that most touchscreens have some level of glare, which wasn’t really an issue on an interactive whiteboard. The panel, which is toughened glass is designed to reduce the glare and this will vary between manufacturers, but it would be worth checking your prospective screens out in a demo before spending lots of money only to find that in one classroom the glass-glare is a problem. Think along the lines of a laptop that has a glossy screen, and how they have some reflection when in brightly lit environments. (needs some more research methinks).

 

Where it was easy to replace a faulty projector under the old setup, you’ll have to think about what your backup strategy will be if a touchscreen develops a fault. Some advice has been to look for a solid on-site 5-year warranty, possibly don’t replace every whiteboard in the school at the same time, stagger the purchasing and budget for a possible repair of one screen after the 5 years.

 

I hope this post will be helpful and I’m counting on it being improved, and corrected where necessary.

Edited March 11, 2016 by mrwoberts

[mrwoberts]

Useful links and resources

 

Advice on Interactive Touchscreens http://www.projectorpoint.co.uk/interactive-touchscreens-education-advice

 

Touchscreen/Whiteboard Software

SMART Express Notebook online (Very limited features) http://express.smarttech.com/

Open Sankoré (Win/Linux/Mac) Open Sankoré | The Free Interactive Whiteboard Software

NotateIt NotateIt - Whiteboard Software for Tablets, desktop PCs and Interactive Whiteboards

Open Whiteboard https://sourceforge.net/projects/openwhiteboard/

 

 

Edit: Moving this to a separate thread...

Edited March 10, 2016 by mrwoberts

[TechMonkey]

Another one to throw into the mix. Prowise. They have the option to have a built in PC, their software can read Smart files in and is web based so staff can plan at home easily and use any device. It has class interactivity (quizzes and polls) built in and with the 65" screens you can get a stand that will allow the board to drop flat so instant smart table! Also have NFC so you can log in to the onboard PC with a swipe of a card. If using the onboard PC and wireless you end up having just 1 cord (power).

 

We had a demo and are buying a couple to see the reaction. We are having them mounted on the mobile mount with a small UPS to allow staff to move them from the front of the room to the middle of a room without having to power down.

 

I'll let you know how they go.