The Savvy Technologist

Another potential Smartboard replacement

I guess you could say I’m a SMART Board skeptic. Generally speaking I think most interactive whiteboards (to use the non-trademarked term) are too small, too expensive, and not portable enough. I’ve found over the last year or so that most teachers’ needs are met with an inexpensive RF presentation remote like this Keyspan unit.

If the simple remote won’t do, you may want to consider the Interwrite SchoolPad. It uses Bluetooth to connect to a computer wirelessly and allows the user to annotate on top of Web pages, PowerPoint presentations, or anything else that is displayed on the computer screen. You can even have up to seven of the SchoolPads connected simultaneously to one computer. I love the portability and the price; it’s significantly cheaper than a full size interactive whiteboard.

We’re in testing mode with the SchoolPad now. I’ve got some science teachers who have previous experience with interactive whiteboards trying it out to see how it compares. If they like it I’m pretty sure that there are a bunch of other departments who will be interested.