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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hello Michael</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have been using one twice a week for the year now
(maths and science). What I have found to be the single most useful thing is
that a projector is permanently mounted in the room. That means I can just plug
in and away I go. What I have found is really powerful is being able to switch
between application quickly; eg a word doc open to add glossary terms (for
students to add to their books); a ppt around which the lesson is based; and
google waiting on tap to find pics or whatever to highlight or clarify points as
they come up in discussion. I can flick between any of these in a blink without
having to find whiteboard space somewhere to erase previous text so that I can
then write more and so on.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The interactivity is cute and comes in handy
(students can manipulate objects on the board which does add something to a
lesson), but you can now buy what are effectively graphics tablets that let you
interact with the computer in much the same way as the whiteboard itself, for a
fraction of the cost. I also find that for normal whiteboard style writing
(but it's really electronic) the boards are a poor substitute - letter formation
can be poor and maing quick corrections can be fiddly (although that could be
just me).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Being able to save the aftermath of a lesson is
handy too, but again having a whiteboard that is of itself interactive isn't
necessary for this</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Having said all that, chatting to the tech the
other day I found that the permanently mounted projector still accounts for the
largest single component of the cost - and I would say that is where the value
is, not in the fancy whiteboard!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Robert T-A</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Brighton SC</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
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<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=michael@stmargarets.vic.edu.au
href="mailto:michael@stmargarets.vic.edu.au">Michael Torsello (Mr)</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=ipm@edulists.com.au
href="mailto:ipm@edulists.com.au">Year 12 Information Technology Processing
and Management Teachers'Mailing List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, August 15, 2006 8:23
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Year 12 IPM] OT - cheaper EWB
alternatives</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV><!-- Converted from text/rtf format --><BR>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear colleagues</FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>There are calls from some quarters at my school to
put electronic whiteboards in as many class rooms as possible.</FONT>
<BR><FONT face=Arial size=2>After the Business Manager recovered from his
heart attack, he has asked me to investigate some cheaper alternatives.</FONT>
<BR><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have read about ways to convert standard
whiteboards into electronic ones by using a special type of projector or a
special gadget you can attach to a standard whiteboard. I have the brochures
but ...</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>As anyone else used or tested such a device at
their school?</FONT> <BR><FONT face=Arial size=2>If so, what are comparative
results regarding performance, visibility, ease of use etc?</FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks for your assistance.</FONT> <BR><B><FONT
face=Arial size=2>----------------------------------</FONT></B> <BR><B><FONT
face=Arial size=2>With thanks</FONT></B> <BR><B><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Michael Torsello</FONT></B> <BR><B><FONT face=Arial size=2>Director of
Computing</FONT></B> <BR><B><FONT face=Arial size=2>St Margaret's School,
Berwick</FONT></B> <BR><B><FONT face=Arial size=2>Ph: (03) 9703
8111</FONT></B><I></I><I></I>
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