Touch sensitive boards that enable teachers and students to engage with content has traditionally been limited by the number of students that can simultaneously use the board and we know teachers and students require a system that enables more simultaneous users, greater interactivity and therefore enhanced shared education experience. With the Panasonic UB-T880 board, up to three pupils can work together to manipulate objects on the board through both touch and electronic pen. Along with the hardware, Panasonic supplies a new version of RM Easiteach software. Easiteach allows teachers to share content even if they don’t have the same interactive boards. In turn this helps teachers maximise the learning experience by removing the restriction of IWB systems only compatible with proprietary software. It’s also possible for teachers to download content from RM’s website when lesson planning at home.
Technological explanations and specifications aside, real teachers from schools across the UK are using Panasonic interactive boards in classrooms and responding well to the benefits. In a recent visit to Crickhowell School where one teacher had setup her own ‘Periodic Table Challenge’ which combined an interactive memory game with learning the periodic elements. “Everyone at the school loves it and it’s become a school wide challenge” she said, “with the fastest times achieved by members of the Sixth Form at just 7 seconds to complete the entire challenge!” The teacher pointed out that her fastest time was a second faster but, that even the youngest pupils were achieving great times and, having a lot of fun doing it. “With the Panasonic, I can plug in my netbook, use sound through the Panasonic’s built in speakers and even access E-Chalk resources for Keystage 4 education. I would definitely recommend other schools seeking a better whiteboard solution to check out what Panasonic have to offer”.
