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The second bit of software called SMART notebook is a bit more of a delight. This is sort of a combination between a basic drawing package and a presentation package. You work with slides and can pop any media on to these slides. You can also fix items on the background though which is really ... Read review
Advantages: Easy to use, robust Disadvantages: Not as accurate as pen based and heavy
...second bit of software called SMART notebook is a bit more of a delight. This is sort of a combination between a basic drawing package and a presentation package. You work with slides and can pop any media on to these slides. You can also fix items on the background though which is really useful as then people interacting with the information/data/lesson cannot move these items out of place by using the board. This is essential. The nice thing about ... ...necessary. This means with one SMART board in an organisation everybody can have the software on their own PC, even at home, for preparing presentations.
PROJECTOR OR INTERACTIVE BOARD
Now, here comes my only criticism and it is of the technology not this particular product. So often I see an interactive whiteboard being used and the user has demanded the hardware as essential to a particular presentation and I'm left thinking ... more
First of all, an introduction to my relationship with this product. I commissioned the purchase of twelve of them to go to twelve different schools. At the time we were looking for an interactive whiteboard that came in at £1000 or as near as possible. This board then did exactly that. On to the details.
INTRODUCTION For those that don't know an interactive whiteboard is a clever piece of kit that allows a user at the front of an audience or class to interact with information on the screen being projected there by a computer. At it's most simple it records everything written on the screen with normal pens to a sketchpad, allows programs to be opened, closed and manipulated, and increasingly comes with a handwriting recognition piece of software. These are gaining popularity in schools and I think have a definite place in such an environment but do see my paragraph PROJECTOR OR INTERACTIVE BOARD for my opinion on how these should be used.
MESH OR PEN This board works with a wire mesh behind the screen that detects contact. It therefore doesn't need a clever pen (good news in a primary school where the strangest of things go walkies). This means that for a start it is easier to use as your finger can do the pointing. Make contact with the board, firm that is, maintain contact, and drag objects around the screen - that is the essence of interactivity with this board. All people who have used this board have found it very simple and have enjoyed doing so. It is tremendously popular with the children and the mesh system is part of its success. Basically your hand becomes the mouse which is simple enough for the youngest children in school to understand and use.
SOFTWARE This comes with two pieces of software. The first is very boring and recognises if a whiteboard is attached to the computer. This has always worked effectively and does it's job. Once up and running your finger on the board can act as mouse and the board does what it is supposed to do. The second bit of software called SMART notebook is a bit more of a delight. This is sort of a combination between a basic drawing package and a presentation package. You work with slides and can pop any media on to these slides. You can also fix items on the background though which is really useful as then people interacting with the information/data/lesson cannot move these items out of place by using the board. This is essential. The nice thing about SMART notebook is it is freeware so you can download it from the internet and update it as necessary. This means with one SMART board in an organisation everybody can have the software on their own PC, even at home, for preparing presentations.
PROJECTOR OR INTERACTIVE BOARD Now, here comes my only criticism and it is of the technology not this particular product. So often I see an interactive whiteboard being used and the user has demanded the hardware as essential to a particular presentation and I'm left thinking that in actual fact with a data projector and a standard board they would have been fine. Data projectors have remote controls that allow mouse movements and clicks too so if you are going to use one of these make sure your presentation is truly interactive please. Let's see the audience on their feet moving things around and interacting with the data/lesson.
PROBLEMS Don't fall for the portable solution. It seems ideal if you are only buying one but they are heavy and it will take two people to move them, possibly three if you include stairs on your route. By far the best option is to mount them in one location. The pens disappear in a school setting but are cheaply replaced and while you wait for the delivery of the replacement pens, stick of dowelling can take their place and even be used on the board - how simple is that?
OVERALL This has been a great purchase. The learning curve was shallow and it has been one of the most popular pieces of hardware we have bought. We have had no mistakes on twelve boards in five years - that must count for something. The price has dropped now and you should pick one up for between £700 and £800. If you have an audience who would benefit from interacting with your presentation then this is the perfect solution. Schools watch out - life is about to change forever cos when these become common place kids will expect the very best in not only presentation but also interactivity.
Product Information for "SMART Board 580 - touch-screen" »
Manufacturer's product description
The SMART Board is an interactive whiteboard that turns your computer and projector into a powerful tool for teaching, collaborating and presenting. With a computer image projected onto the Board, you can simply press on its large, touch-sensitive surface to access and control any application. Using a pen from the SMART Pen Tray, you can work naturally at the Board to take notes and highlight important information. Whenever you meet, teach, train or present, the SMART Board helps your group save time, increase interactivity and improve communication.
