IWBs

[Jawloms]

I've got some aging projectors and whiteboards, of course the aging whiteboards aren't in the same rooms as the aging projectors as that would be far too simple! Anyway, I want to look at BETT at either boards or interactive TVs. Does anyone have any recommendations as to stands I should definitely go to? I'm not after anything stupidly clever as most teachers don't use a great deal of functionality, just something which will show a good picture quality, which they can write on. We have a mix of smart, promethean and acer at the moment so I don't even nned to stick to a particular brand to keep a standard!

 

Thank you

 

Stuart

[sted]

im not a fan of the smartboard tv style boards they just seem to cause more issues than they are worth (fussy about both usb and hdmi length, dying sensors, akward to use without a remote) but teachers like the software and its extortionate to buy for non smart devices

[Mjstone1]

Depending on what software the teachers use already, we are currently moving to Promethean ActivPanels with ActivInspire. I am impressed with them and they provide a good quality picture and 10 point touch. The teachers feedback has been good from them as well. We are also looking in to classflow online which can then be used alongside mobile devices with student slides and teacher slides etc

[LincolnE]

The thing that really sets the boards apart these days is the software provided with it... The actual boards are pretty much the same across the various suppliers..

 

If you was going down this route, I'd suggest finding a brand you like and sticking with it, though. If you've got consistency, staff are more likely to look at resources made for that board, as opposed to generic powerpoints.

[robyholmes]

We're looking at going for Prowise boards, purely for the software. The software is all web based and is very impressive! I wasn't to keen to start with having used the free version they offer but once we were given a trail of Pro it really opens up the features. The fact its online means staff can access it from any device, any time and from anywhere.

[sted]

i actually wonder software wise if one note isnt a good answer as most schools have office anyway so its basically free and works with any board so you arnt stuck with licensing issues if you move from say promethian to smart etc

[robyholmes]

i actually wonder software wise if one note isnt a good answer as most schools have office anyway so its basically free and works with any board so you arnt stuck with licensing issues if you move from say promethian to smart etc

 

I tried to convince our staff to use OneNote and I should think some will, but departments such as Maths use features which OneNote just doesn't have.

 

My aim was to unlink software from hardware, we are purchasing Prowise hardware but only to get free licences to start us off. There's nothing stopping us purchase another make and continuing to use Prowise Presenter software. Nothing in there software requires their own board. This was a real plus point for me.

[enjay]

Take a step back here - do you actually need interactive boards? If all you want is for teachers to be able to project and annotate, what about just getting matt whiteboards instead? Would a cordless or gyro mouse enabling the teacher to control the PC from the front of the room be sufficient?

 

You may have already considered all this, but before you go and buy more IWBs because your current ones are dying, ask yourself what you are trying to achieve, then buy the right product to meet that need.

 

If you do decide you want interactivity, but aren't interested in the software which accompanies them, then just buy whatever is cheapest at the time - also consider interactive projectors. As others have said already, SMART are okay if you want to use Notebook but probably not worth the hassle otherwise. With recent changes here to using iPads, Google Apps, BYOD and the new subject specs, we see very little use of dedicated software now and staff are doing most of what they want on websites instead.

[dry]

2 years ago literally every other stand at BETT was marketing an IWB of some description. Last year there seemed to be less emphasis on IWBs from what I experienced.

 

This year there will still be the big players exhibiting, so it might be worth researching boards/solutions that you're interested in, ready to have a play with them at BETT. The SMART stand has always been very elaborate and they've had their entire range on show the two times that I've been to BETT.

[DannyF1801]

IMO only 2 interactive manufacturers worth looking at. Clevertouch and Promethean.

 

Obviously if you have old Smart boards and SMART notebook is a big deal to then that could cause some issues. Smart software is extortionate though so in all honesty now would be the time to move away. I know for certain that Prometheans allow you to import old Notebook files so old lesson plans etc won't be lost.

 

Any web based software scares me. Check your schools internet capabilities 1st as if going down that route you could be in for a huge surprise once the screens are in etc.

[lyricalway]

Personally I use generic LCD panel boards rather than the big names like promethean/clevertouch/smart, after all the panels are all made in the same factories in China. I have an RM EasiTeach site licence so that teachers use the same software whatever the brand of board, LCD or IWB, in all locations.

[BenQ_Support]

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