Interactive Projectors in Today’s Classroom

Presenter(s):

Anne Proulx

Director of Technology, Northville Public Schools

Rich Baringhaus

Commercial and Education Account Manager, Epson America

Today’s Session

• Provide information on interactive data projector technology • Northville’s implementation of the technology

Interactive Data Projectors

• Projector + pen combination integrates interactive functionality in one machine • Uses any hard surface (marker board/whiteboard)

Northville’s Project

• Where: Cooke Center Program • Population: Cognitively impaired, severely multiply impaired, and dually diagnosed • High need • Mobility issues • Assistive technology, specialized software in use • 25 classrooms

Funding Opportunity

• ARRA funds • Specifically earmarked for special education • Goal: Identify and purchase technology to meet unique needs of population • Must be completed by June 30, 2010

Funding Considerations

• Building technology committee • Multitude of technology – Computers, software, digital cameras, scanners, document cameras – Building wide wireless project – Data projectors • On carts?

• Mount them?

• Cable management?

• Interactive boards?

Cost for Interactive Boards

• Data Projector with ultra-short throw lens • Interactive board • Mount/s • Installation $3,500 to $4,000 per classroom

Conclusion Not Feasible!

Decision:

Data projectors and laptops on cart

And then ….

We learned about interactive data projectors Epson BrightLink 450Wi

Epson BrightLink 450Wi

• Ultra short throw 3 LCD projector • Native WXGA 16:10 resolution • 2500 lumens • Wall mount included • Pen-based interactive projector • Windows or Mac OS • Interactive functionality on any hard surface (existing white/marker board)

Demo to Technical Staff

• Technical staff – Skeptical – Other products • Mimeo • We were impressed!

– Calibration was easy – Toolbar was intuitive – Pen was responsive

Demo to Instructional Staff

• Building technology committee • Calibration • Epson Toolbar – Gave teachers the opportunity to try it – Easy to Use – Toolbar seemed intuitive • Teachers were excited!

– About the technology – Option within budget

The Solution

• Epson BrightLink 450Wi for each classroom • Cover brownboard with whiteboard material (www.dryeraseforless.com) • Provide speakers for additional amplification • Provide a jack on the wall for USB connection to data projector, two VGA connections and audio connection • Electrical drop • Wireless NIC • RM EasiTeach • Laptops with wireless connectivity

RM EasiTeach

• RM EasiTeach Software – Epson bundle option - $100 more per data projector (vs. $350 for separate purchase) – Content specific software suite for interactive devices – Examples: • Science - scientific calculator, interactive periodic table, and chart maker • Math - protractor, place value cards, number line maker, math symbols, and equation builder

Cost per classroom

Base Cost Data Projector Installation (includes covering of brownboard & speakers) Dry Erase Film ( Two 48" X 60" sheets) $1,799.00 $ 665.00 $ 91.27 $2,555.27 Additional Items Wireless Module Additional 2 year warranty - 5 year total RM EasiTeach software $ 100.00 $ 169.00 $ 100.00

Challenges

• Whiteboard material – Challenging to install – Some bubbling • Ceiling height – 8 ft. ceilings – Image size limitations – Epson tool to calculate image size • Wireless NIC

Training

• Former teacher (now building curriculum facilitator) – Provided each teacher with review of • Connecting cables – USB cable from wall to laptop – VGA cable from wall to laptop – Connecting auxillary sources – document camera • Use of Epson toolbar • Next steps – RM EasiTeach training