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An Active Classroom in Promethean Planet : Eugene Viskovic, Promethean

The ActivClassroom by Promethean is an integrated system of hardware, software, training and resources, designed to support teaching practice and assessment, improve student participation and strengthen the performance of all types of learners. Digital Learning catches up with Eugene Viskovic, Head of APAC and Emerging Markets, Promethean to understand more…

Tell us about Promethean`s award-winning software ActivInspire. What functionalities and tools does it offer?

Promethean`s latest software, ActivInspire offers cross-platform functionality that works on PC, Mac, Linux and any Interactive White Board, and two age-specific interface options. It combines the very best of our previous ActivPrimary and ActivStudio software onto a single platform – to provide a complete educational software solution.

“To enhance the Interactive White Board experience, we are releasing dual pen capability to our ActivBoard range through “ActivArena”. Achieved with a simple programme upgrade, the dual pen capability allows two users to use the ActivBoard at the same time, creating new levels of interaction and collaborative learning in the classroom.”

This new generation of software allows educators to choose which interface they want to interact withThis new generation of software allows educators to choose which interface they want to interact with – opting for the familiar bright and inviting skin for primary ages or a   ophisticated, modern skin for learners aged 11 years and beyond. ActivInspire also allows   eachers to choose the style the layout and operation of the software to suit their teaching and  omfort levels, as well as  save multiple user-profiles to meet the needs of particular lessons.  Lessons come to life in full colour video, sound and graphics – a bounty of flipcharts, backgrounds, images and activities are  included and ready to use. However, ActivInspire is  uch more than just a stylish interface – fully functional, integrated tools like  protractors,  rulers, dice and shape recognition make the on-screen experience a real-world example unlike   ny other. Furthermore, the connectivity with Promethean Planet  (www.PrometheanPlanet.com), the world’s  largest online lesson planning and support community for interactive whiteboard users,  means the scope to create and share  innovative  esson content is virtually endless.  Promethean’s latest software has also  been   esigned to make classroom life a little easier. For quick lesson-building, educators can choose  rom a variety of themed  templates, search for resources more easily in the improved   rowsing tabs, and now,  tools can be dragged on to flipcharts, while shortcuts can be embedded   ithin pages to  enable actions to be applied instantly. Straightforward navigation  s  complemented by a toolbar that updates automatically with the most frequently and  last used tools. Existing resources, created in any Interactive White Board software can be incorporated—PowerPoint resources can be  imported too.  In addition, all Promethean’s Activ Classroom technologies are fully integrated  in the software; Learner Response Systems can   ow be seamlessly incorporated into lessons and true real-time collaboration is achieved with   ual input capability at the ActivBoard or by using an ActivSlate from  anywhere in the  lassroom. ActivInspire is  also compatible with a range of other non-  Promethean software and  products, making  the ActivClassroom easier to manage than  ever before. What are the   eatures that differentiate Promethean Interactive White Boards from  other available brands?  ActivBoard is at the centre of the ActivClassroom – bringing all of the sights  and  ounds of interactive learning to life.  It is operated using a wireless, batteryfree  ActivPen,  hich writes like a pen and  acts just like a computer mouse – allowing  exceptional levels of  on-screen accuracy to  be achieved. Its low-glare screen provides a high quality projection   urface for crystal clear imagery and wire-free technology enables  the ActivBoard to interact   eamlessly with our other products.  Easily mounted and secured to most  walls, the  ctivBoard   as been built to withstand the rough and tumble of everyday  classroom life.  hanks to an electromagnetic  grid that sits behind the screen, the  ActivBoard will resist  irtually any kind of  screen damage and will remain unaffected  by the warm temperatures  nd humidity.  Teachers and students can use their hands to steady themselves on the board   ithout  causing any screen damage or changing  what appears on screen. Promethean’s latest   odel, Activ Board+2, combines all the benefits of the ActivBoard with the added features of a  height-adjustable stand and super shortthrow projector into a singe wall-mounted  system.  he   tand easily raises and lowers, making the board accessible to students  of all ages and  heights, while the super  short-throw projector minimises on-screen  shadowing and delivers   mages so clear that they demand students’ attention.  In what ways do Promethean products  bridge the gap between the present  generation of students and their learning,  especially in a  ountry like India, where  funding and infrastructure are major issues?    The benefits of Promethean technologies to students and learning are the same in classrooms all over the  orld. They offer the  opportunity for enhanced teaching pedagogy,  empowering educators to  ncorporate ICT  as an element in all curriculum areas and  improve academic achievement    y catering for the various learning styles of students.  ICT is already a major investment area   n  education throughout India and there is a large  number of Indian schools that   lready have  the funding and infrastructure to implement  our interactive classroom   olutions.  Although infrastructure is a consideration  for this region, many schools in India  already have the necessary core infrastructure,  including appropriate power outlets, to  successfully introduce technologies. In addition,   while internet connection is desirable, it is   ot an essential for schools to experience  the ActivClassroom. This experience will be  enhanced   s Internet connectivity becomes more widely available – opening up the potential  for students to connect with peers  from around the world and for teachers to  join the global  eaching and development  community at Promethean Planet.  Please tell us about  Promethean Planet.  Promethean Planet is a free online community that is designed to provide  ActivClassroom teachers around the world  with the ability to share new and   nnovative lessons, access a wide variety of professional development materials, and connect   ith fellow ActivClassroom teachers from around the Planet.

Empower your Classroom with eBeam Tool

Classrooms are as unique as the teachers that teach in them and the students that learn in them. Rarely are there two alike and even ones proportioned the same are usually arranged very differently. It is this spirit of individuality eBeam is designed to embrace. Its compact size and feature-rich software can be used by the most nervous technophobe or the most skilled techie and everybody in between.
At a fraction of the cost of other Interactive White Board solutions, the highly portable and cost-effective eBeam systems turn ordinary White Boards into interactive tools.

The eBeam receiver, at just 6 inches across and 140 Grams, fits seamlessly into the corner of any existing White Board and can activate up to 8 feet of board space. When one turns the projector off, the White Board goes back to being just that can activate up to 8 feet of board space. When one turns the projector off, the   White Board goes back to being just that – a White Board. In      absence of a projector, the eBeam White Board software can be   used to record notes using real dry erase markers. equipment for students and faculty. To    capture and distribute the brainstorms created in the  study groups and larger classes, the   Business School has installed eBeam Interactive White Board systems on their existing White  Boards in every classroom and lecture hall. Lecture notes are posted on a central website, so that students can have accurate copies of complicated charts and diagrams created  during   class.  The technology has dramatically improved the efficiency of learning and has  been   extremely well-received, not only by  programme participants, but also by internal staff.
4)  Improving Staff Technology Education  Traditional technology instruction sessions in which      teachers sign up for an hour-long  class on PowerPoint or other applications simply  don’t work. Scheduling classes around  the coaching, tutoring, and other out-of-class responsibilities for a large group faculty can  be impossible. Instead, technology leaders within   chools can leverage interactive whiteboard and projection technology to hold   training sessions in person or remotely via the Internet. This makes it possible to train staff new software available locally, as well as new Internet-based tools at their convenience.
5. Assisting with Home Schooling To support the off-site activities,
the school uses Interactive    White Board technology, email, instant messaging, and chat rooms  to extend personal  interaction beyond the  few hours spent on campus each week. The students can print, save,  and publish their  word maps and charts.\\ Five Ways eBea m can Improve Lea rning and    Communicati on in  the Class room:
1
. Capturing, Printing and Distributing Assignments, 

Notes and Drawings Interactive White Board solutions eBeam, is  used in math and science   classes to capture  notes and drawings as they are written on the White Board. Once they are  saved to a  computer, teachers can print copies of White Board notes and assignments, and       post the  nformation on their virtual workspaces on the Internet.
2. Leveraging Interactive  Media for Project Assignments
Teachers have begun to integrate technology as they design    new class projects. As an example, a history instructor,  tired of assigning traditional research  papers, assigned a research project using interactive  media tools. The students     loved the project, and the instructor enjoyed her role as facilitator, advising the students on    he research and coordinating the work of the teams.
3. Promoting Study Group Learning and Teamwork
A business school has found a more effective way to disseminate ideas and information between students, faculty, and  staff. Historically, an important component of    this particular MBA programme has been the open discussion and debate that takes  place in  classes of 40 to 60 students. These  classes break down into study groups of six  to eight  participants who work interactively to  generate ideas that are discussed later with the rest of   the class. The programme already offered state-ofthe  art computers, network, and     presentation In India, Scientech Technologies Pvt. Ltd., makes available

Dynamic Projector Solutions for Modern Classrooms

Technology is becoming increasingly integrated into our classrooms. Being able to project what is on a computer screen at the class opens up a world of possibilities for new learning experiences for the students. From the chalk and blackboard days to the Interactive White Boards, learning portals and huge computer suites, the delivery of learning has been revolutionised by information technology. These sophisticated systems can now be used by teachers to breathe life into what-in the absence of a projector-would be stagnant, linear, paper-bound experiences.

A global research shows that regardless of whether educators are in a school setting or one of higher learning, they all realise the same benefits from using a multimedia projector. Projectors keep the audience interested in what is being presented, there is higher retention of the information being shown, and it saves both time and money not having to do a slide or overhead creation. For technology to be effective, the teacher must be proficient in the use of relevant technology, being able to get the best out of its use and maximise its educational benefits so that the pupils can learn effectively.

The Vivitek Corporation offers a large range of DLP based high-value projectors for all segments. Its complete projector line is equipped with DLP technology, forgoing any LCD models.

The Vivitek Corporation offers a large range of DLP based high-value projectors for all segments. Its complete projector line is equipped with DLP technology, forgoing any LCD models. The Vivitek product line includes portable, data projector, home theater, and dual lamp projectors and a full line-up of 1080p HD digital signage and state-of-the-art, large-screen power products.

The all-new D825MS (SVGA) and D930TX Short Throw DLP projectors are part of Vivitek’s new line of mobile projectors equipped with the features you need to make projector operation and maintenance simple for education sector. These portable projectors are incorporated with the latest DLP technology from Texas Instruments that displays crisp, fantastic images, and also features BrilliantColor for exceptional brightness of vibrant colors.

The D825 MS have an ultra-portable lightweight design, at only 5.7 lbs, which fit a variety of applications for business, education, and other professional organisations. You can view your presentation and keep engaged with your audiences by attaching your personal computer to the projectors’ monitor loop ports. The D825MS and D825MX projectors shine bright at 2600 ANSI Lumens and have a 2200:1 contrast ratio to display extraordinarily crisp details, ideal for a class room use. In addition to easy portability, the D825MS and D825MX DLP projectors offer rapid start-up and instant shutdown features that enable you to immediately begin the presentation and then shutdown without having to wait until it cools down. The D825MS and D825MX are designed filter-free eliminating the maintenance fee and inconvenience of replacement; the units also have a cost-effective lamp life of up to 4,000 hours (Eco-Mode). The Digital keystone correction allows the user to adjust image setting in the most challenging presentation environment. The low noise level of 30dB (Eco Mode) and 32dB (Standard Mode) is ideal for a class-room use.

The D930TX is Vivitek’s first short throw projector, designed for tighter spaces and special environment requirements. The new short throw projector eliminates the walk-through that can be distracting while, watching a presentation, or viewing films in closer environs. The D930TX is able to be placed close to the screen (3.2 feet at 76?), and still produce a beautiful, room-sized image without interference. Brilliant, 100? color images from the D930TX are achieved from a distance of only 4.3 feet and for full-use versatility the projector has HDMI and RJ45 connectivity for complete compatibility. Because short throw venues are usually closer quarters, the compact, 7.7-pound D930TX is designed with a quiet fan, running only 34dB in economy mode, and also has on-board vertical Keystone correction for even more precise adjustments. Additional selections of connectivity features on the D930TX include a USB control terminal, and an RS-232C communication port for full integration into classroom environments. The unit comes with its own carrying case for easy transport, and a fully featured IR remote with laser pointer and mouse functions.

Mark your calendar

2009 International Confeence on Future
Computerand Communication (ICFCC 2009)

 

3 to 5 April 2009
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
http://www.icfcc.org 

5-th eLSE 2009 – eLearning and Software for Education

9 to 10 April 2009
Bucharest, Romania
http://adl.unap.ro/else2009 

Counselors to Higher Education (CHE) Senior Summit 

15 to 17 April 2009
Washington, DC, United States
http://www.prsa.org/networking/sections/che/events.html  

2009 International Conference on Education
Technology and Computer (ICETC 2009)


17 to 20 April 2009
Singapore, Singapore
http://www.icetc.org/

Interactive Mobile and Computer Aided
Learning, IMCL2009
 

22 to 24 April 2009
Amman, Amman, Jordan
http://www.imcl-conference.org/ 

5th EduMedia Conference 2009 – Creativity
and Innovation Competencies in the Web
(e-creativity and e-innovation)

4 to 5 May 2009
Salzburg, Austria
http://edumedia.salzburgresearch.at/   

2009 Canadian Network for Innovation
in Education (CNIE) International Conference
 

10 to 13 May 2009
Ottawa, ON, Canada
http://www.learningconference.ca
  
Community Engagement and Service:
The Third Mission of Universities

18 to 20 May 2009
Vancouver, BC, Canada
http://www.chet.educ.ubc.ca/Conferences1.html

Canadian Association for University
Continuing Education 2009 Annual
Conference
 

20 to 23 May 2009
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
http://www.cauce2009.ubc.ca

American Canadian Conference for Academic
Disciplines

25 to 28 May 2009
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
http://www.internationaljournal.org/torontoconference.html  

eLearning Africa 2009

27 to 29 May 2009
Dakar, Senegal
http://www.elearning-africa.com

European Conference for Academic Disciplines 

1 to 4 June 2009
Bad Hofgastein, Outside Salzburg, Austria
http://www.internationaljournal.org/austriaconf.html  

 

India News: April 2009

UKIERI awards Euro 50,000 grant to NCMT

The UK India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) has awarded a £50,000 grant for a three-year collaborative programme delivery (CPD) project to NSHM College of Management & Technology (NCMT), Durgapur and Anglia Ruskin University, United Kingdom. ‘The UKIERI CPD grant is for a joint Masters (MSc) programme in optometry to be conducted at the NSHM’s NCMT Campus in Durgapur from October  2009 onwards and the degree would be awarded by Anglia Ruskin University. ‘The current faculty and students of the optometry department at NCMT would also be upgraded through exchange programmes with Anglia Ruskin University,’ said Prof Soumendra Nath Ghosh, head of optometry & vision science department, NCMT Durgapur. The National Management School (NMS) which is planning to set up 25 business schools across the country will invest INR 9 crore to set up its first management school in Chennai. The business school which is being promoted by academicians from the US will offer diploma to students in collaboration with the Georgia University of the US. The first school will be operational in Chennai by April end for which a  property has been taken on lease. NMS plans to build 25 schools nationwide in 15 years. NMS  will provide a two-year diploma in business management  at a total cost of INR 9.6 lakh. If the   IITs and IIMs are counted among the world’s most prestigious centres of learning,  it’s not    for no reason. A study conducted  among Indian companies shows that these  institutions    re the largest source of business  leaders for India Inc, accounting for more than half of the country’s professionals in chief   executive or strategic business leadership  roles.   IIMs on a standalone basis (non-IIT ) have  groomed around half of Indian CEOs, while  IITs          account for more than a third of the total

Setting benchmarks for schools, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will for the first time give accreditation to institutions affiliated to it on the basis of quality of education. The country’s premier school examination board has decided to launch the initiative, the first by any board in the country, before commencement of the next academic session. A committee has been set up by the CBSE to frame guidelines for assessment and accreditation.   The committee will also suggest detailed modalities  n formation of separate committees for the purpose of accreditation. The infrastructure facilities in the schools will be part of assessment and accreditation procedure. The accredited schools will be provided grades which will indicate their standing with respect to quality. The CBSE will also launch a sensitisation drive during which it will reach out to the schools and make them aware about the benefits of being accredited. The drive will cover about 10,000 schools in the country.

Asia News: April 2009

Not all education targets met on time, says UNESCO

Even though some countries have made significant progress in educating its population, the goals have not been met within the deadline, a recent report from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) said. Though there has been good progress, if countries stick to the current trajectory, key targets for 2015 will not be met, the report mentioned.The EFA report pointed out that member countries needed to improve their efficiency, increase financial resources if the goals are to be achieved and also put equity at the centre of their financing strategies. Thailand had the highest allocation of funds for education, at 25% of the national budget, in 2005, and Malaysia in 2004, compared to the mere 15% allocated by the Philippines in 2005 and 14% in Laos in 2006. Other findings show that East Asia and the Pacific continues to suffer from the problem of illiteracy, with an estimated 113 million adults being illiterate, 3 million of whom are in Thailand alone.

Taiwan Education Ministry endorses Certiport IC programme for students
Taiwan Ministry of Education has endorsed Certiport Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³) as the national standard for information and communication  technologies (ICT). The globally recognised digital literacy  certification programme is   included as part  of a five-year plan in which the Education ministry will require all technical  nd vocational  students—more than 1 million—to achieve at least one  internationally accepted credential  by graduation.  ‘Strengthening the educational backbone  of  a country through the adoption of rigorous  standards is the cornerstone of               producing  future generations of high academic achievers. With the adoption of the     global IC³ standard, Taiwan has ensured that  teachers and students are equipped with     the most current and relevant knowledge and  skills, especially related to information    nd  communication technologies,’ said David Saedi, President and CEO of        Certiport.
Japan allocates Rs  360 mn for scholarships to  students in Pakistan
Japan has           allocated a sum of Rs 360 million   r the higher education scholarships for the  students in Pakistan.This was stated by the Consul General of Japan in Karachi, Akinori Wada while        awarding Japanese scholarships  to 19 students of the Mohammad Ali Jinnah
University. The allocations have been made in
the for students in the field of research, agriculture, business communication, social sciences and information technology, he said.

WB  approves US$ 81 mn to improve Bangladesh’s higher education
The World Bank has  approved an US$ 81 million interest-free credit to Bangladesh to improve the quality of  teaching and research in the country’s higher education institutions. The credit from the     International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s concessionary arm, will support Bangladesh’s Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project. World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh Zhu Xian said higher education is vitally important to energise Bangladesh’s economy and to boost its investment climate. He said the project will fund activities which can bring rapid and visible benefits to the academic community, and help more Bangladesh youth enroll in universities. Under the project a Bangladesh Research and Education  Network, a high performance ICT network, will be set up.

Teachers now using Text2Teach technology in Philippines
While students are banned from using mobile phones during school hours, many public school teachers in Philippines are using the ubiquitous gadgets in class to serve the  ‘higher purpose’ of ‘bringing to life’ math,science and English subjects, according to Education Secretary Jesli Lapus. Elementary teachers in selected areas are using the mobile phones under the Department of Education’s ‘Text2Teach’ project, which aims to present ‘interactive, multimedia educational videos’ that enhance the learning experience of students inside the classroom, Lapus said. The project is part of the department’s ICT4Eprogramme which uses the latest technology, like the Internet and laptop computers, to help improve education in the country. It seeks to improve the quality of teaching in Grades 5 and 6 in public schools by providing ‘highly interactive, easy-to-use multimedia packages designed to help make learning more exciting and meaningful among students,’ he said.

ESOFT launches the world recognised Edexcel HND
ESOFT has launched Edexcel’s much coveted HND in Computing Programme at four of its centers in Sri Lanka. ESOFT Computer Studies Private Limited leads the market in for the BCS Professional Examinations in IT as well as the BIT Degree of the University of Colombo School of Computing. Its HND Programmes are recognised by 100+ Universities in the UK and Australia as an entry qualification for direct entry into the final year of many degree programmes, including IT, business and management, and many other disciplines. During the inauguration ceremony, Dr Dayan Rajapakse, CEO / MD of ESOFT, said, ‘ESOFT is truly proud to offer this course to our students. The HND is truly value for money as it is equivalent to the first two years of a British B.Sc Hons Degree and can be completed for a fraction of the cost. Students then have the ability of completing their final year either in the UK or with local partners.’

Corporate News: April 2009

HP Software University launched in India 

World technology leader Hewlett-Packard (HP) has launched HP Software University (HPSU) in partnership with the Indian Institute of Hardware Technology (IIHT) to train and certify software testing professionals. The unique university will be initially launched in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Noida, Chennai and Bangalore and HP has plans to add more cities over the next few months.

The global software testing market is estimated to be US$ 13 billion and India is expected to contribute 70% of the market. Its present share is US$ 6.5-7 billion. This programme from HP in the non-enterprise training space aims to address the growing demand of software testing. With a market share of over 60% in application testing, HP was well poised to address the enormous demand for Industry ready talent in software testing, HP India Managing Director Neelam Dhawan said.

MeritTrac launches India's 1st mock entrance test

MeritTrac Services has announced the launch of 1score, India's first unified mock entrance test. This test claims to help students in evaluating their preparedness for various engineering entrance examinations by taking one common test. The students get a comparative analysis of how they would perform on various leading
engineering entrance examinations, including IIT-JEE, AIEEE, CET, EAMCET, BITSAT, Manipal UGET, etc. Edurite Technologies is the academic partner for this test and provides the test design know-how for this programme.

1score evaluates students on Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, and creates a readiness index on the student's preparedness to face various engineering entrance examinations. The students are given a feel of new exam procedures like online applications, OMR answer sheets, etc. A detailed report and analysis of how the candidate has performed in 1score is shared along with constructive inputs on topics of strength and areas of improvement.

Cisco and Metropolis collaborate to develop sustainable intelligent cities

Cisco has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Metropolis, an association comprising 106 of the world's largest cities, to develop its 'Vision 2030' for sustainable cities around the world. As part of this MoU, Cisco will advise Metropolis on how to build a collaborative operating model between Metropolis member cities and establish an Urban Leadership Academy to demonstrate how future cities can effectively use technology to advance clean public transportation, decrease pollution through intelligent urban development, offer pervasive access to citizen-centric services and support sustainable economic growth.

As part of the strategic collaboration, Cisco will collaborate with Metropolis over an initial two-year period to develop new practices and enhance existing models in urban development and sustainability. The collaboration with Metropolis is a significant milestone for Cisco, as part of its recently launched global 'Intelligent Urbanisation' initiative.

Intel to train 5,000 Rwandan secondary school teachers in ICT

Rwanda's Ministry of Education has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Intel for training 5,000 secondary school teachers in ICT. At the signing ceremony at the Ministry's headquarters, State Minister in Charge of Primary and Secondary Education, Theoneste Mutsindashyaka commended the project, stressing that it was going to enhance the development of education in Rwanda.

The Minister also revealed that Intel was going to help in revamping the Rwanda Computer Centre (RCC), a local computer assembling company to enable it to assemble computers for a larger market. Under the programme, 50 people will be trained initially, who will in turn train the 5,000 teachers around the country whose number is expected to increase to 10,000 within three years. According to the MoU, Intel will fund the development and revision of Intel Teach Curriculum, and will also fund localisation of the programme.

Untapped Indian market gets SMART focus

Terming the Indian market as largely untapped in terms of the spread of Interactive White Boards, SMART launched V280 board in New Delhi. Terry Wason, Area Manager for CEE, Russia and India, SMART Technologies launching the new product, maintained that this launch signifies the growing interest of the company in the Indian market.

Talking about the market strategies of SMART in India, Wason stated that with the penetration levels of Interactive White Boards standing a way less than 1% in the country, India has to go a long way in this regard. 'Since we a have a market share of 53.2% worldwide, we are also optimistic about the Indian market which remains largely untapped.'

mimio: Transforming Teaching and Learning

Educating today’s students means more than just getting them to pass tests. It also means  improving instruction for all students— and increasing student engagement and learning. A  classroom that meets this challenge is an interactive classroom. It  features students actively   interacting with  dynamic content rather than passively listening to teacher lectures or     answering questions at the end of a textbook chapter.  It takes advantage of tools that provide    tudents with a world of rich resources. Now, let us demonstrate how mimio    interactive technology is synonymous with  advanced innovation, quality, value and            commitment to award-winning educational classroom solutions.
mimio Technology:
How           oes it  Work?  Unlike conventional Interactive Whiteboard  technologies, mimio’s         tracking technology is not embedded in the whiteboard surface. Instead, it uses ultrasound and infrared to create a surface independent trackingsystem. This solution provides several benefits to both buyers and end users. The tracking system: The mimio system uses ultrasound and infrared to track the position of the pen and communicate pen information. The mimio attaches to any flat surface, either using suction cups or mounting brackets. The mimio contains two ultrasonic receivers and one infrared receiver. The two ultrasonic receives are fixed with a known distance between them. Benefits:Affordability, with all of the  functionality you expect from an Interactive White Board, is mimio’s most obvious benefits. The first factor is that the mimio system costs less to manufacture than competitive products and covers a larger surface area (up to an 8-foot by 4-foot White Board).
The second factor is that mimio attaches to an existing White Board, drastically reducing its installation expense. The third factor is mimio’s portability; multiple locations or classrooms can share a single device. The fourth and most important factor is that the mimio technology is not embedded in the White Board; as such, the tracking system will continue to work even if the surface board is damaged. Additionally, damage to White Boards will be less frequent.
Ease of installation and setup is another benefit. The mimio system ships in a small box that is quickly unpacked and setup by a single person in a matter of minutes, requiring no tools. Lastly, the mimio system was designed  o be extendable. All mimio accessories, including add-ons that can be used to create a wireless connection to the PC (mimio Wireless), capture real ink written by dryerase markers (mimio Capture Kit) and a mobile wireless tablet (mimio Pad), seamlessly integrated with the mimio hardware and software. Here are some examples of the impact and results experienced by a handful of the more than 200,000 “mimio teachers” around the world today.

Tara Jarman: Lifting Stud ents to Higher Ac hievement Tara utilises many websites that have projectable books,
phonics activities, andvideos such as www.starfall.com , www. keyskills4u.com, www.eduplace.com and www.readinga-z.com. When struggling  eaders are told to read a passage or story independently, they often stare out into space, and do not attend to it. However, when Tara puts a lesson on the mimio using Studio features such as reveal and spotlight, and calls on students to read, they all do it eagerly and perfectly! Tara pursued the mimio Master’s online training course including weekly assignments, learning and practicin   in online discussions and,perhaps most importantly, collaborating with teachers around the country.  After just 18  weeks of school that had risen to a 2.1 (first month of second grade)—six months of growth  n only four months!
Daniel Lynch: mimio In A Special Educ ation Sett ing  Daniel is a Special  Education teacher at  the Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke,

VA. He teaches three  elf-Contained Math 8 classes as well as two Team Taught  Math 8 classes. Admittedly not a  technophile, Dan has found that interactive teaching with mimio Interactive White Boards   as been remotivating and that the technological aspects of using mimio are easily mastered.  s  e says “Unlike some technology tools, using  mimio never keeps me from paying attention to  y students. In fact, mimio advances their  learning, and that’s what teaching is all about –  earning.”  A mimio-enabled White Board can be used both as an Interactive White Board and   s a traditional dry-erase marker board. mimio does everything that other conventional IWB do, but in a manner that allows a user to get  started quickly and discover more depth as they  become more comfortable with the system. mimio’s Interactive learning products will  ontinue to be refined as mimio develops a  variety of complimentary edcational solutions specific to the classroom environment at a lower cost

World News: April 2009

Obama introduces first part of US education reform plan

The UK government’s recent interim report on ‘Digital Britain’ makes a powerful argument for universal access to modern technology as a key driver of the country’s economic prospects. Universal access to high speed broadband by 2012 will be vital for business, not only to continue to transform business processes, but also to deliver the education and skills required. Connecting the last 40% of the population to the digital society gives a huge opportunity to raise education standards and provide powerful incentives to continue learning throughout life, across the population, the report said.

The report prepared by BECTA said, never has it been more important to provide all of those facing the challenges of the labour market with the support they will need. It is clear that digital connectivity and discriminating use of digital technology have a vital role to play.

Call for free degrees for jobless
People made unemployed by the recession should be allowed to enrol on part-time degree courses for free, says a think tank representing new universities. Million+ says fees paid by part-time students are ‘a barrier they should not have to face’. It is urging the government to provide the funding to enable fees to be waived for those on job seekers allowance or short-time working.The government said it was spendingon developing the workforce. Million+, which represents new universities across the UK, says allowing some people to enrol on higher education courses for free would cost the government £400m, but would bring in
revenue of £523m. Unemployed people who go on to gain a degree could stand to gain in excess of £95,000 over their working lives, the think-tank estimates

Starboards: A Powerful Teaching and Learning Tool

Students live in a multimedia world today. However, the technology that students enjoy in their lives outside of school makes it more difficult for teachers to capture their attention in the classroom with ‘old-fashioned’ tools such as chalkboards, whiteboards and overhead projectors. In order to inspire & catch the attention of techno driven youth use of latest and exciting technology should be used to make education a fun experience.

Visually stimulate your learners by using an interactive Whiteboard. Interactive Whiteboards are effective in improving the way we meet, teach, train, and present.

An Interactive Whiteboard is a surface onto which a computer screen can be displayed via a projector and then interact with the information. It allows the teacher or presenter to access and display information from the Internet, run live video from a camera, interactive presentations and color visuals. Connected to a computer and projector, an interactive whiteboard becomes a powerful tool for teaching, collaborating and presenting.

An Interactive Whiteboard is touch-sensitive, where your finger can act as a mouse or a pen. With the press of a finger, you can access and control applications on your computer or write, draw, and highlight on the board using electronic pens and erasers. Changes made to information projected onto the whiteboard are transferred to the computer and can be saved and retrieved in future lessons. Whiteboards can help you deliver exciting and engaging lessons to learners of all ages and abilities.

Hitachi Being one of the leading Global Vendors for Interactive WhiteBoards has a series of technically advanced models called Starboards. Hitachi`s Starboard FX Series is the most selling and popular interactive whiteboard to date. It delivers the highest quality of benefits at attractive and competitive prices offering users a selection of powerful tools for meetings, training and conferencing for business and education. They include a range of hardware configurations to fit all presentation, education and communication budgets and room environments.

Every FX-Series board includes the most advanced presentation software available the StarBoard suite of software. Easy to learn and install, it is designed to help the user become confident with the whiteboard within minutes. These versatile, high-performance products feature large-format image areas (77” and 82” diagonal), with durable, antiglare steel-backed projection surfaces for both electronic sensing-based and dry-erase writing. FX Series whiteboards are available with serial or USB wireless computer interfaces.
Benefits
Improving Teachers Effectiveness and productivity. They make it easy for teachers to enhance presentation content by easily integrating a wide range of material into a lesson, such as a picture from the Internet, a graph from a spreadsheet or text from a Microsoft Word file, in addition to student and teacher annotations on these objects. Good visual tools allow teachers to give simple and explicit instruction. It Also allows teachers to record their instruction as digital video files and post the material for review by students at a later time.
// T hey allow learners to absorb information more easily. // T hey allow learners to participate in group discussions by freeing them from notetaking. // M akes learning an enjoyable experience for students through active learning. // Im proving Students attention , greater participation , increased retention & Recall of content.

In India Hitachi Starboards are distributed by HCL Infosystems Ltd. Some of major institutions where Hitachi Starboard have been installed and are being used for education and training are Kendriya Vidhyalayas, Central Tibetan School, Directorate of Training, Central Railways, ITBP, etc

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