Days are gone when investing in classroom technology meant nothing more exciting than choosing which color of chalk to buy for the board. Now comes a new age where interactive whiteboard and projection systems have become commonplace in the classroom, the advancing technological revolution is driving this arena to new heights.
Here in this article, we will talk about our top tips for buying the best interactive panels for your classroom.
1. Size
For interactive whiteboard, When choosing the aspect ratio of the interactive whiteboard, you need to refer to the projection size of the projector. The size will according to your classroom size.
For LCD flat panel interactive displays, the size of the room should dictate the size of your screen. The basic rule is that the screen should be large enough to allow the students at the back of the class to be able to easily read a 20pt font.
2. Resolution
The resolution defines the sharpness and clarity of any visual panel and is the number of pixels (individual points of color) contained within the screen. The higher the resolution, the sharper and crisper the image. Some interactive panels are now also available in Ultra High Definition which is referred to in the industry as 4K (3840×2160), such as IQTouch K Series, C Pro, L series, etc.
3. Touch Points
Touchpoints really mean a lot to the classroom. For example, If an interactive flat panel display has 6 touch points, there can be as many as 6 students at the display, each using a single touch point (one finger or a stylus). Or, 3 students can each use 2 fingers to manipulate and move objects on the display. Now many standard LCD touch panel has 10 touch points or 20 touch points at most, such as IQTouch K series.
4. Software
You buy the interactive displays for teaching, so you may want to select software that can actually enable and engage learning, and can provide collaboration opportunities, assessment, and integration with mobile teaching. IQTouch K series is the best example bundled with the software.
5. Installation
You need to make is where in the classroom you are going to mount your interactive panel and the physical size of those who may need to use the screen. Many nursery schools or early-year classes make good use of mobile or wall-mounted electronic height-adjustable brackets for their interactive panels. For senior schools, higher education establishments, and training suites, a fixed wall bracket is generally acceptable.
Here are some other articles that we think might interest you:
Top Virtual Classrooms for Collaborative Learning
The Impact of a Large Interactive Display in the Classroom
Enhancing Classroom Engagement: The Power of Digital Podiums and Lecterns