Whiteboard information

							ICT Curriculum Team Education ICT Group Directorate of Lifelong Learning

Interactive Whiteboard information: Listed below are several significant companies providing interactive whiteboard technology to the education market. For a comprehensive list of those approved under the BECTa Interactive Whiteboard procurement process visit: http://www.whiteboards.becta.org.uk/ Certainly worth sending for brochures, price lists and detailed specifications. Some resellers may also be prepared to demo at the school. These companies will quote and sell for whole bundle installations – Projector and IWBs - but will sell projectors as a separate item. BECTa also provide guidance on selecting and using Interactive Whiteboards and this can be found through this link: http://www.ictadvice.org.uk/index.php?section=te&catcode=as-pres_02&rid=4925&wn=1 Key points: 1. Be aware that you are buying a system with a number of components, not just the interactive whiteboard. The costs and factors you need to take into account include the cost of: The whiteboard itself Installation of board including wiring to projector and screen and power supply Data projector – see further information below Installation of projector including wiring (prices will vary based on ceiling heights and construction) Computer – desktop or laptop (note older computers and old operating systems may not run all the features or software that you may wish to use with your IWB) Network cabling to the computer Any training costs The factors effecting cost of whiteboard are largely ones of size and whether or not it requires a stand, is mobile or is fixed to the wall Mobile boards have the benefit of being able to be used in a number of locations – they are however more vulnerable to accidental damage than a fixed installation and have a setting up time to ensure the projector and whiteboard are correctly aligned and configured. In general they are not recommended, but can meet the specific needs of individual schools. The larger the board the greater the cost, but also the larger the image – will shorter members of staff be able to use all the area of a large board? – not a joke this, some presenters found the installation at Dillington difficult to use and it had to be

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lowered. There is a compromise between ease of visibility to a class and ease of use to a teacher and/or pupils. 3. The factors effecting projector cost are essentially ones of light output in lumens, focal length of lens and whether portability is required.  Ambient light conditions are important although high lumens output can cope with full daylight in a bright room – consider the position of windows and the possible need to use blinds (a cheaper, lower light output lamp, may require additional cost with the purchase of blinds!) Higher bulb ratings bring an increased risk if staff or users look towards the lens and directly into the bright light. Projectors are vulnerable to bulb damage if they are mobile (replacement lamps are very expensive); for this reason consider a fixed – usually ceiling mounted – position. This has an impact on the total cost as a bracket and cable ducting are required – however this is not significant in the light of total cost, especially if it can be included in the new build costs. Find the cost of replacement bulbs and the guarantee details for replacement period without charge. Some packages through the BECTa accredited scheme include a three year replacement warranty for bulbs. Sanyo, Epson, Infocus, Sharp and NEC are all very good makes and all have a variety of models suitable for use with an interactive whiteboard. Not all projectors can be inverted for ceiling fixing. It will probably be wise to select a single projector type if you buying several projectors so that a single spare lamp will be able to be held for all machines (spare lamps can cost up to about a quarter of the total cost of the projector) Check what securing device(s) are included to protect the projector from theft and ensure that it will not fall in the event of bolt failure (In a Somerset Secondary school a projector broke free from its bracket and fell from the ceiling mount – a health and safety bulletin is available from Somerset H&S Unit).

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4. Check the minimum specification required for the computer to run the interactive whiteboard and consider how it will be networked to provide access to the Internet (a valuable resource for teaching) 5. Consider an all-inclusive pack (projector and board) so that compatibility between components from different suppliers leaves no doubt if any problems arise. 6. Consider how easy the software will be for non-ICT specialists to use and any on-site training that may be required. There is also a significant impact on teaching and learning with this technology which requires teachers to make adjustments to their repertoire of skills. During the current school year (2004-2005) it may be possible for schools and teachers to access interactive whiteboard training. Contact pjsheehan@somerset.gov.uk for further information. 7. Selecting a board type:  The Curriculum ICT Team in Education ICT Group promote the installation and use of the SMARTboard. This board is currently found in a very high proportion (over 95% of Somerset primary classrooms) and has proved robust and reliable over a significant timescale. In addition the use of this board is supported by advice, training and resources through the Primary National Strategy consultants and ICT advisers in Somerset.

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Below are the details, including web site addresses of a number of suppliers who supply complete and part systems. The companies listed below are resellers of SMARTboards which are BECTa listed and have national or regional coverage. Other re-sellers and suppliers of Interactive Whiteboard packages can be selected from the BECTa list: http://www.whiteboards.becta.org.uk/ http://www.avconcepts-uk.com/ AV Concepts Ltd Unit N3 ITTC 1 Davy Road Derriford Plymouth Devon PL6 8BX Phone: 0870 2414 332 Fax: 01752 764212 http://www.matrixdisplay.com Matrix Display Systems Ltd Unit 12 Egham Business Village Crabtree Road Egham Surrey TW20 8RB Phone: 01784 439000 Fax: 01784 439090 8. Siting of Interactive Whiteboards   Interactive Whiteboards are intended to be sited as a teaching focus in a classroom and considerable thought should be given to the precise position using the points listed below. In planning the location of interactive whiteboards in classrooms schools might find it helpful to use tape, brown paper, sugar paper or thin card to produce a template to the exact size (your chosen supplier can give the precise outer dimensions of your board) This template, used with a little blutack can then be used to…   Test alternative positions in classrooms; Check the impact on different users of mounting the board at different heights. Will the tallest/shortest child be able to interact with the boards? How would this height be suited to teachers or other adult users? Will all children be able to see? Check what other wall mounted display boards, chalk/pen boards, shelves etc. will need to be re-located or removed and what subsequent "making good" will be required. Check space underneath and to either side of the board - important when the board is in use (especially by adults) to ensure that good teaching from the board can take place.

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The final choice of position is a school decision; however it is intended that Interactive Whiteboards are located in positions that enable pupils to fully engage with the technology. Where boards are positioned in rooms used by younger children this requires a great deal of thought - steps, lifting children or having them stand on upturned milk crates etc. is not regarded as safe practice! It is also important to be aware that where boards are mounted at a lower position for access by younger children, the keystoning required to keep a rectangular image becomes a significant factor and if the height of projector mounting is lower than the standard 6 foot 6 inches there may be health and safety issues. Larger boards, rather than higher board installation is important for use by the youngest learners. v.2.1 updated Spring 05

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