IWB in open area

[waldronm2000]

Hi all

 

I'm working with an infant school on a new build project. They're very keen on open learning, and want to use the workspace as flexibly as possible. They also want to be able to use an interactive whiteboard in the middle of an open space. Their idea is for an IWB to somehow appear from the ceiling. Is this possible? Does anyone know of it actually being used anywhere?

 

Thanks in advance...

[Linfit]

I have not come across an IWB that would fold down from the ceiling, although I suppose anything is possible if you want to pay enough for it.

 

Have you considered using a wireless tablet ? - this gives the interactivity but means you can use an ordinary screen to project the image - motorised screens which drop from the ceiling are much cheaper.

[DaveMurphy]

You could always put the projector on the ceiling and then have an IWB on wheels?

[waldronm2000]

I have experience of mobile IWBs from a college where I used to work, but they weren't popular as they needed to be calibrated every time they were used. I suppose this wouldn't be so bad with an integrated projector. Wireless tablet may be a good solution, except that with infants there's often the element of having them work directly on the whiteboard in groups.

[fafster]

Would there be a reason why it needs to be hidden when not in use?

[dhicks]

I have not come across an IWB that would fold down from the ceiling, although I suppose anything is possible if you want to pay enough for it.

 

BETT had several IWBs on show that worked by infrared sensor (like the WiiMote), so it would be possible to use a pen or wand with a motorised drop-down screen. These were actually the cheaper option, typically around £500, and Epson now do a projector with built-in infrared emitter and pen sensor.

 

Have you considered using a wireless tablet?

 

I'd look at that too - Windows 7 multi-touch slates are now available in PC World to have a play with.

 

--

David Hicks

[waldronm2000]

The WiiMote solution sounds interesting, but not sure whether a motorised projector screen would be sturdy enough to use as a base to "write" on.

[waldronm2000]

Would there be a reason why it needs to be hidden when not in use?

 

They're keen on having an open space that they can use as flexibly as possible, so no IWB when not needed. Also, the location where they want to put it is in the middle of the space, nowhere near any walls.

[robyholmes]

A school I tech at just got one of these:

 

Inclusive Technology Ltd Inclusive Interactive Plasma Screens

 

Might be a good idea? No projector needed which solves the 'Calibration' problems, and it can be wheeled out? Some good stuff on that site.

[dhicks]

The WiiMote solution sounds interesting, but not sure whether a motorised projector screen would be sturdy enough to use as a base to "write" on.

 

The demonstrations that I saw at BETT looked just fine - you could write quite easily on a drop-down screen. This, of course, assumes that your drop-down screen is of reasonable quality (a proper, smoothly-working motorised screen, with a decent weight at the bottom to hold it all taut) and that the user is delicate enough - letting younger pupils loose on it might not work so well. You can make an IWB out of a WiiMote for around £100, complete with IR pens, but you can now also get nicely packaged devices that use the same principle for around £500. Such packages generaly also include a wand as well as a pen, so you can reach up to the top of larger display areas.

 

--

David Hicks

[HiredGoon]

A school I tech at just got one of these:

 

Inclusive Technology Ltd Inclusive Interactive Plasma Screens

 

Might be a good idea? No projector needed which solves the 'Calibration' problems, and it can be wheeled out? Some good stuff on that site.

 

 

We have one in our school, cannot fault it! Bit expensive though!

[Sylv3r]

Something like this I would imagine would work on a pull down screen - but it would need setting up calibrating before use everytime.

 

http://www.mimio.com/global/em/index.asp

[enjay]

Could you go for an all-in-one board, you know the kind with the projector boom-mounted at the top, and then attach it to so form of hinge and pulley system, so the top remains static and the bottom of the board swings down? Does that even make sense?! I know what I mean, but can't describe it!!

[waldronm2000]

Could you go for an all-in-one board, you know the kind with the projector boom-mounted at the top, and then attach it to so form of hinge and pulley system, so the top remains static and the bottom of the board swings down? Does that even make sense?! I know what I mean, but can't describe it!!

 

Yes, I see what you mean; that could possibly work...

[waldronm2000]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I'll summarise them for the school and see what they want to do.

[Robbocop]

Just to add my ten pence worth:

 

A touch sensitive plasma would be my preferred option, as you could wheel it out or hinge it away when not needed. A projector would need to be fixed really, even if the IWB was moveable. Moving a hot projector seriously shortens lamp life. I've seen Epson's projector with built in IR sensor and it seems to work well, but I suspect in Primary you're looking for something which would work with fingers and not just a pen or stylus? (Just imagining the pens getting lost in the middle of a room!)

 

Another huge advantage of plasmas is that they can show true HD video, rather than XGA or WXGA, and also that they are easily visible even without dimming the lights.

 

Expensive though.

[Akritas]

Late response, but i like the idea of a self made rigid and heavy metal, mobile frame. Take care of the wheel mounts and brakes durability!!!

No problem of coordination with projector and should be cheapest from the ones that promethean for example offers. Cute! (starts looking for his metal welding equipment and tools)

[waldronm2000]

It looks like the best solution may be an Epson BrightLink 450Wi coupled with a heavy duty electric projection screen. Anyone have any experience of these...?

 

Epson BrightLink 450Wi - Epson America, Inc.

[scooby]

Hi

 

Im not sure the 450wi is the right solution for your application, but probably the cheapest. The projector is ultra short throw and designed to be mounted on the wall so not sure how you intend fitting it, perhaps on a mobile unit such as loxit, but again not sure that would work. Also a drop down electric screen just wouldnt be sturdy enough and would mive when you use the pen ! You can buy a Promethean (and smart) mobile system that can be moved around easily and has a built on short throw projector that would not require any adjustment when you use it. Or like others say you could go for an interactive plasma, but pricey for a decent size.

Edited March 30, 2010 by vikpaw
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[DarrenC]

scooby is correct, the Epson is not suitable unless it is wall mounted and as it is an ultra short throw projector anything other than a rigid screen would mean a terrible image.

 

You could get a mobile solution in a number of ways:

 

As already mentioned a mobile touch screen LCD of which there are a number of types; Sahara clevertouch, VTRON, Samsung, these could all be mounted on a portable trolley and moved around as needed.

 

Again as mentioned you could use a portable interactive whiteboard all in one solution. These are less expensive than some of the touch LCD but much more bulky and will probably need recalibrating fairly often.

 

You could also mount any type of interactive board onto a bespoke trolley system (there are several available such as from loxit) and match that with an ultra short throw projector.

 

Alternatively you could get a drop down screen in any location suspended from the ceiling and as advised earlier use a wireless tablet of some kind (such as the Promethean activslate).

 

To be honest though with this type of bespoke solution I would recommend speaking to your AV supplier and asking them to look at the build plans and go through the options with you.

[waldronm2000]

Having looked at all the pros and cons, the school have decided to abandon the idea of having something appear from the ceiling. Apart from all the problems mentioned above, it turns out the ceiling's going to be much to full of beams, lights and radiant panels to try to put anything else up there.

 

So, they've decided to go for a trolley-based option. However, it needs to be big (it's a large open area), they want to avoid constant recalibration, and they really want Promethean as that's what they're used to.

 

Does anyone know if it's possible to get a mobile stand/trolley for an ActivBoard+2 395 Pro?

 

Thanks

[DarrenC]

Promethean officially only go up to 87" mobile systems.

 

You may be able to get a mobile trolley to accomodate a 95" from someone like loxit, I'll have a dig around and see what I can find.

[Robbocop]

In all honesty I'd be really wary of anything that large with an overhanging projector arm on a mobile trolley. We've been really impressed with epson's interactive ultra short projector concept Epson BrightLink 450Wi for Education - Epson America, Inc. which we're trialling now. Basically any flat surface becomes interactive, and the projector can be housed right next to the surface, either above it, or below. I'm pretty sure you can use Promethean software without it having to be a Promethean board you use it on.

[DarrenC]

Yes the Epsons could be an option here although you would still need the same trolley and board size regardless as if you were using a promethean board and ultra short throw projector.

 

Officially you can use the promethean software with the Epsons (although you would need to buy the full version of activinspire) however Promethean would not offer you any support what so ever if you did this).

 

The issue here is finding a stable trolley to hold a board that is so large not really the interactive format you are using.

 

I'm waiting for a reply from loxit on this one.

[enjay]

The issue here is finding a stable trolley to hold a board that is so large not really the interactive format you are using.

 

Surely the projector size, or rather boom length, is a massive factor in the stability of the board.