District Administration - June 2010 - (Page 65)

LUIDIA eBeam Edge and Engage $899 for Edge; contact Luidia for the price of Engage Luidia offers a portable interactive whiteboard system called the eBeam Edge, which uses a small receiver and stylus to enable annotation and control over projected images by connecting with an existing classroom computer, projector and whiteboard. The software includes a unique feature that allows educators to wirelessly upload their whiteboard lessons onto their students’ Amazon Kindle electronic readers for later study. Luidia has also just released a new accessory, the eBeam Engage (pictured), which includes speakers, a wireless keyboard, a microphone for recording lesson audio, a scroll knob interface, and software that utilizes shortcuts for accessing applications and Web sites. mimio mimio Interactive $549 (educator pricing) Making use of a classroom’s existing computer, whiteboard and projector, the Interactive system from mimio is designed to be a low-cost solution that is easier to install and implement than most interactive whiteboard options. The Interactive Xi bar houses the electronics for detecting touch, mounts to an existing whiteboard with suction cups, and folds up for portability. A two-button stylus pen controls the board, and mimio’s Studio software provides lesson content in a variety of subjects and enables easy importing of ﬁles into PowerPoint, Word, Acrobat or other formats. www.luidia.com www.mimio.com PROMETHEAN ActivBoard Mobile System $4,899 Promethean has just released the ActivBoard Mobile System, a portable version of the company’s ﬂagship ActivBoard 300 Pro model, which users can wheel between classrooms or use in rooms where installations are impossible or undesirable, such as a gym or auditorium. An ultra-short-throw DLP projector displays images at 2,200 lumens of brightness from less than 15 inches away from the 87-inch whiteboard, reducing glare and shadows. This unit also includes dual-touch capability for two simultaneous users, as well as built-in speakers and an ampliﬁer, and it offers additional options such as a drawer for accessories, a locking laptop shelf, and an add-on dry erase board. www.prometheanworld.com SMART TECHNOLOGIES 685ix, $4,299 The latest model from SMART Technologies, the 685ix includes an ultra-short-throw projector, which can project images from just 12 inches away, reducing the amount of shadow cast by the user. This is a widescreen unit, projecting at a 16:10 aspect ratio, which provides a 20 percent larger viewing and working area than a standard aspect ratio. The 685ix also includes a multimedia control panel for connecting and controlling additional devices such as speakers, DVD players, document cameras and more. All SMART models come with the company’s Notebook software, which provides content, activities and other resources for integrating whiteboards into instruction. www.smarttech.com Look for other recently released interactive whiteboard models from: PolyVision, Panasonic, Qomo, NEC, Numonics and 3M. www.DistrictAdministration.com June 2010 65 http://www.mimio.com http://www.luidia.com http://www.prometheanworld.com http://www.smarttech.com http://www.DistrictAdministration.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - June 2010

District Administration - June 2010
Contents
From the Editor
Letters
News Update
Sustainability
Conversations
Administrator Profile
District Profile
Innovative Leaders Take the Phone and Run
A New Dawn in the Sunshine State
The Die-Hard Communicator
Cybersafety in the Classroom
Persuading Teachers to Go Rural
Product Focus
Research Corner
Professional Opinion

District Administration - June 2010