Purchasing Smartboards

[BobbyGeiko]

Hi everyone. This is my 1st post in this forum, so let me know any rules I'm not following.

 

Our school is "Laptop to Projector" technology and are looking to upgrade to Smartboards. I know nothing about them, but from what I've read Smartboards have been around for awhile.

 

Could anyone give any recommendations on companies that sell Smartboards or the new technology with the same idea. Ideally, I'd like something that allows the teacher to draw on a Windows 11 Smartboard.

 

Thanks.

[Norphy]

‘SmartBoard’ is a brand. They sell interactive whiteboards and interactive displays, and they sell software called Smart Notebook which drives their products.

 

An interactive whiteboard is a device on which you project an image from an LCD projector onto, you can use pens to write on the whiteboard and what you draw/write is put into the software and can be saved.

 

An interactive display is a more modern take on this, it’s effectively a giant tablet display connected to your computer via HDMI and USB. Again, you write on the display and software saves what you do.

 

Whiteboards and projectors are generally somewhat cheaper per inch, and you can get bigger whiteboards than you can displays. However, interactive displays are considerably simpler to set up, maintain, are better in bright light, you don’t have to contend with shadows and/or bright lights shining in your face, you don’t need to replace lamps and they don’t need calibrating. Displays are the better choice in the classroom if you can afford them.

 

There are several different brands you can get; the aforementioned Smart, Promethean, Hitachi, Cleverboard and more besides.

[BobbyGeiko]

Thanks, I appreciate the information.

[mavhc]

What size screen do you need?

[BobbyGeiko]

72-75"

[robintech]

Most teachers don't seem to use the functions of the Smart Boards KappIQ boxes or the Smart Notebook only the writing/touch function and duplicating display (or extending it for more savvy ones).

[Ironside]

I would, in my amateur opinion, recommend looking at interactive displays (or non interactive, if your teachers don't make good use of drawing tech as is), because as interactive whiteboards age, the projectors that go with them will break down and need replacing - whiteboards may seem cheaper but that's because they're basically a touch membrane with a projector mount - the projector is the expensive part, especially if you keep running the whiteboards for 20 years and the projector is out of production like some schools do.

[BenQ_Chris]

At BenQ we have a range of the RE (Essential), RM (Master) & RP (Pro) interactive flat panels. The higher up the range you go the higher the spec (including germ resistant, CO2 sensors & air ioniser). All are available in 65", 75" & 86". As long as you register within first 30 days they are all 5 year de/re-install warranty and all come with fixed wall bracket. All with access to cloud services (device management, broadcast and account system if needed at no extra charge). All are 4K UHD that upscale really well (how much true 4K content is there out there in education?). Even if you don't really want interactive I would recommend going interactive (maybe RE) as they all have toughened glass, one knock to a TV and you need to replace it.

 

If you'd like to know more just drop me a DM.

[mavhc]

We've bought the RM6503 screens, none have been broken so far. The usb dongle for the remote is a bit worrying that someone will nick off with it. The built in whiteboard program is fine, teachers use it a lot instead of connecting their laptop. Would buy again

[BenQ_Chris]

mavhc,

 

If you haven't purchased the optional WiFi dongle, there is a hidden compartment (lower left corner of the soundbar I think) which contains a USB port that you can install the WiFi dongle (is using) or the remote USB Bluetooth dongle.

 

On the newer RP03 screens there are 2 USB ports in this hidden compartments.

 

To clarify for any other users reading this, the Bluetooth USB dongle / remote is only on the RM & RP (not RE series).

[HarkNowHear]

We've got about 25 of the BenQ RM/RE 65" screens and they do the job nicely at an excellent price point. Hoping to add a bunch more next year.

[michael2k6]

We've been looking into this recently.

I have a mix of schools who have TVs because they weren't using the interactivity, and now new staff are asking for that interactivity, and a bunch that have the promethean panels but largely don't use them for their intended purpose. There are also some that have prometheans and do use them well, or ask for them and would use them.

We don't have the budgets to go to promethean everywhere overnight and so looked at adding Vivi boxes to the TV's. Much cheaper combination but actually having seen the functionality at bett and thinking about digital strategy long term (in terms of not just the teachers using them but how the learners interact and immersive learning) I'm wondering if this might be the way forward in general. Early days but I'd recommend you check them out for a demo.

Not to hijack the thread but if anyone else is using them in the classroom I'd be interested to know your thoughts on how they compare, too.

 

https://www.vivi.io/

[mavhc]

It is slightly backwards to replicate a chalkboard in 2023, I never stand up and draw on it, just makes my arms tired, I type on my computer connected via hdmi, if I need to draw, use a graphics tablet or laptop with touchscreen, or tablet computer. If I'm typing code then use display scaling, or just make the font larger in IDE (although that's annoying when I go back to coding for myself)

[BobbyGeiko]

We're thinking of the ViewSonic IFP7550. Anybody have experience with Viewsonic Interactive Displays? Thanks

[PurpleTentacle]

We've had four of these fitted recently, they have been warmly received.