Science and humanities (cookery etc.) labs generally have different issues to standard classrooms
which can often bring different difficulties for the teacher:
* Shape of room
- often benches / facilities around the edge of the room come right to the front wall
* Benches and stools are higher - students sit higher
- students at the back cannot see the bottom portion of any standard height interactive
screen
- a screen placed higher means some teachers may not reach the top
* Budgets available
Whilst an Interactive Whiteboard offers excellent functionality - for these kinds of facility, they may
prove impractical due to the reasons outlined above. Options include:
.
|
|
These have become the standard aid product for
classrooms allowing the user to project their computer
images or external DVD / VCR / Document Camera etc
onto the main screen
Used in conjunction with an Interactive Whiteboard or
Panel - they provide the ultimate enhancement.
|
Remember - proper installation is vital for ease of use, security
and the health and safety of all :
* Full Installation- best option for stability although
boards can be stand mounted / should include
cabling for VCR / DVD and
|
|
|
The majority of major IWB brands have a version of the
Interactive Panel with their own compatible software.
User interacts with the panel in the same way as an
interactive board with the image being projected via a
standard data video projector to a larger screen.
The DS Group are experts in IWB technology and the
only company able to demonstrate all the systems in one
location. Visitors are welcome to book a free session to
evaluate which boards are best for their own
requirements.
|
An alternative to the IWB, it allows for:
* Projection to larger standard screen which can be mounted
at a more convenient height
* Panel to be placed at convenient location
(e.g. teachers desk / side of room)
* Teacher can keep whole of class in sight whilst annotating
on screen
* Shorter users have easy access to the panel
You will still need to consider
* Data Video Projector
- preferably ceiling
mounted and stable (brand is not relevant to panel
choice)
* Full Installation- best option for stability although
boards can be stand mounted / should include
cabling for VCR / DVD and speakers
|
|
ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS
|
|
|
The advances in technology make the Interactive Touch
LCD screen an excellent option to a whiteboard. Flat,
unobtrusive and with outstanding clarity, a smaller
screen can often equate to a larger interactive board.
Users can operate the computer from touching the
screen and have the same functionality (same
software) as an interactive board.
There are also all-in-one systems with an integrated PC
to further minimise the amount of equipment / cabling
found in any classroom. These systems can be rolling
stand mounted to offer greater flexibility of use
between room locations.
.
|
.
* Full Installation- best option for stability although
boards can be stand mounted / should include
cabling for VCR / DVD and speakers
|
|
|
One problem with the interactive whiteboards can be
the issue of height. A way of overcoming this problem
could be with the Height Adjusting System
. However,
this could prove to be inconvenient after a period of time.
|
Remember - a complete solution consists of :
* Data Video Projector
- preferably ceiling
mounted and stable (brand is not relevant to board
choice)
* Interactive Whiteboard
- choose wisely and
consider requirements such as touch systems /
need to use markers etc
* Full Installation- best option for stability although
boards can be stand mounted / should include
cabling for VCR / DVD and speakers
|
|
PERIPHERALS &ACCESSORIES
|
|
|
These offer the teacher greater flexibility and freedom
of movement within a classroom, allowing them to
operate their PC / interactive software from any location.
By giving the tablet to the student to operate, can also
help to minimise movement within some classes.
.
|
Some brands offer their own versions complete with their own
software (Promethean, SMART, Sahara, GCTO). There are
however 'neutral' systems that will work with any computer and
any loaded software.
|
|
|
Wide variation of available systems, brands and models.
Either one per room or as a 'shared' resource to be
used around the school.
.
|
All rooms with installed projection systems should have the
capability to project VCR / DVD images and films through the
projector onto a big screen.
|
|
|
Excellent addition to any lab.
Offering greater flexibility than a document camera, a
Visualiser will have better optics, illumination and extra
functionality allowing the tutor project small object detail,
images, 3D objects, documents, transparencies and
pictures onto a big screen.
Options also include ceiling mounted visualisers with
high gain, powerful lenses.
.
|
Normally connected to the computer and operated by it, some
systems will allow for the images to be captured into the
computer where they can be saved / annotated on etc.
Some interactive boards have as part of their software the ability
to capture images from document cameras directly into their
notebook features.
|
|
|
A simple but fun way to create greater interactivity
within a classroom.
Children respond well and often will offer answers to
sensitive questions when they know their classmates
may not know who has asked / answered the question
Some systems available with eLC's.
.
|
Voting systems can be used for:
* Fun games and learning sessions
* Assessing class learning
* Confirming lesson assimilation
* Testing and collating marks etc
|
|
|
These are useful where the controlling computers for
the various IWB systems may not be close by.
|
The remote keyboards and mice offer the teacher greater
flexibility and mobility in their room set-ups and moving amongst
their class.
|
|
|
* We are able to supply a wide range of systems
including:
- Desktop / tower computer systems
- Laptop Computers
- Lapsafe / Recharger Cabinets
- Peripherals including printers / scanners etc
|
Whilst Phoenix AV does not provide a network cabling service,
we can provide details of or include our associate companies
who can provide if required.
|
For more information, please contact the Phoenix AV offices on
01952 677144
.
