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ActivClassroom Goes Mobile
Education technology developer Promethean has updated its ActivClassroom lineup with a new 1.4 release of its ActivInspire software and a new mobile ActivBoard system. The company also added new features to its online teacher community.
ActivClassroom is a lineup of tools for classroom learning that includes instructional materials, collaboration features, assessment solutions, interactive devices, and various other resources for teachers and students.
Announced at the ISTE 2010 conference last week in Denver, CO, the new mobile system, ActivBoard Mobile, combines a 3D-capable short-throw DLP projector with an 87-inch (diagonal) ActivBoard 387 Pro interactive whiteboard mounted on an adjustable stand with lockable wheels. The projector itself offers a resolution of 1,280 x 800 (WXGA), a contrast ratio of 2,000:1, and a brightness of 2,200 ANSI lumens. It has a manual focus and offers vertical keystone correction up to 15 degrees. It's mounted on a short boom that measures 29.1 inches from the back of the system.
Connections on the projector include two RGB (mini D-sub 15-pin) ports, HDMI 1.3, S-video, and composite video inputs. Control ports include USB and RS-232. It also offers wired LAN connectivity via an RJ-45 port.
The stand also includes a connectivity panel with dual RGB ports, stereo minijack, auxiliary audio, S-video, composite video, RS-232, USB, and Ethernet.
Promethean has also updated ActivInspire, its cross-platform software tool too help teachers with lesson planning and delivery, with support for video, sound, graphics, flip charts, and other instructional tools. The new 1.4 release adds support for exporting data in Excel format, new page turn effects, and an upgrade of ActivArena that provides dual pen functionality for older systems.
Promethean Planet, a community for educators, has also been updated. Promethean Planet 2.0 includes enhanced search functionality for locating resources, customization, and up to 1 GB of online storage for members.
Further information about all of the new offerings can be found here.
About the Author
Executive Producer David Nagel heads up the editorial department for 1105 Media's education publications — which include two daily sites, a variety of newsletters and two monthly digital magazines covering technology in both K-12 and higher education.
A 21-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art and business publications.
He can be reached at dnagel@1105media.com. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/profile/view?id=10390192 or follow him on Twitter at @THEJournalDave (K-12) or @CampusTechDave (higher education). A selection of David Nagel's articles can be found on this site.