Promethean Board Poised to Revolutionize Education
The Future "Board" of Education
This past year, I was given the privilege of working with the University of South Carolina's School of Education as they installed new technology and upgraded their teacher education programs to include the Promethean Board. Created by Promethean Inc. to incorporate the benefits of a white board, an overhead projector, an audio/visual system, and incorporate the infinitely adaptable technologies of the computer; Promethean boards are poised to change the future of education as we know it. The incorporation of this technology enables educators to "create, customize and integrate text, images, quizzes and tests, web, video and audio content," so they can more easily enthrall students and inspire them to both pay attention and participate more readily in their own educations. It also makes it easier to accommodate several different learning styles. It also allows seamless integration of the Internet to the entire classroom, creating a truly "global", online classroom.
The visual learner is able to watch as the teacher manipulates images, shapes, colors, and words, either on the specially designed electromagnetic board itself through use of an Activpen (which includes all the functionality of a mouse), or by using a convenient PC nearby. The sound system allows for the most distant student in the classroom to use his audio learning capabilities to full effect. In addition, the highly durable board and simple operating system allows for children to participate in their learning by using the Promethean Board themselves.
Accompanied by an ActivSlate, a person can manipulate images, write new text, and make changes no matter where in the classroom they are located. Wireless technology makes this mini-board highly convenient when interacting with students at their desks, while being small enough to aid education without hindering the teacher.
Also available is software allowing for a virtual student response system designed to make student assessment a breeze, incorporating PCs, laptops, or other hand held devices. Other software allows for a simple transition for schools to incorporate their existing lesson plans and enhance students learning capability within weeks. And with the Internet from expanding educational resources to infinite proportions, the educational institutions of the world should leap at the opportunity to make this investment.
My own experience with the system? I was astounded at the ease of the system. A simple point and click interface and I was creating pictures and graphs with the Activpen. If I needed more space, I could change the size of the image I created, or move it anywhere on the board I wanted. There is no longer any need to erase anything before the slowest writer in the class has a chance to read and/or copy what is on the board. The projection system allowed me to show images to my audience from the Internet as I surfed for valuable information, and the impressive sound system kept the class entertained as I played the "Alvin and the Chipmunks" movie soundtrack during downtime.
The verdict is out; the Promethean Board is the future of education. As adaptable and upgradeable as the computer it is linked to, expect the Promethean board to change the face of education in classrooms across the world for the next years to come.
Published by Mark Gittner
Student working towards Masters in Social Work. Obtained Bachelors Degree in Psychology in 2009. Theatrical performer. Equal rights Activist. View profile
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4 Comments
Post a CommentI find it interesting...that I don't complain about the way that policemen or doctors do their job, because I'm a teacher and I don't know anything about being a doctor or a policeman. If only the rest of the world could stop acting like they know what's it's like to be a teacher. The Promethean Board is revolutionary and I can attest to the fact that all of this technology does improve grades/scores, especially in lower-income communities. Thank you for your inspiring article about the merits of this wonderful tool.
That was rude Sherri. I am NOT a teacher. I work with the school of education for the University of South Carolina. "Downtime" happens to be between classes for students learning to be elementary school teachers. And besides, in a time when recess has been removed from most school, children need to have a little fun to recharge thier systems and keep them interested in learning instead of figiting from boredom and pent up energy. Do you not remember what 1st grade was like? Imagine that with no breaks.
"and the impressive sound system kept the class entertained as I played the "Alvin and the Chipmunks" movie soundtrack during downtime. "
--If this teacher has 'downtime' in the classroom... and fills it with "Alvin and the Chipmunks'... no wonder the kids are struggling!
As long as grades improve.... that should be the acid test. We have already proved that the amount of money spent on education is inversely proportional to grades, and so far the same seems to hold true when it comes to technology (read "the internet") in classrooms. We tell them to get off of the internet at home, and they say get on it at school. Sign of the times I guess.