Colorado District Deploys Multi Input Whiteboards
Lewis-Palmer School District #38 in Colorado has deployed interactive whiteboards in its elementary schools and high schools.
According to information released last week, the district has rolled out Hitachi StarBoard interactive whiteboards, including 24 FXDUO-77 models. The FXDUO is a multi-touch-capable whiteboard that supports gestures and input from two users simultaneously. They're being used in all core subject areas at the high school level, according to information released by Hitachi.
“Classes like Geometry and Trigonometry have come alive with student interactivity," said Tracey Lehman, director of educational technology for Lewis-Palmer, in a prepared statement. "Right now we are also in the process of creating a high-tech multi-purpose room where students can collaborate about a project using the StarBoard as the center point of their discussions. It has definitely changed teaching and learning for students and teachers.”
“The StarBoard is a great tool to teach students how to edit and revise their writing. We take students writing and work on editing exercises using the StarBoard software in front of the entire class. Having the ability to visualize in this format makes it a much more valuable learning experience for the students,” said Kathleen Raphael, an English teacher in district, in a prepared statement. “Our students are in a generation where technology is used in almost every aspect of their lives. It is how they communicate with their peers. Using technology to make learning more accessible and more authentic for them is vital. By using this tool, we model excellent communication and presentation skills. These skills will absolutely be invaluable to them in their chosen career fields.”
“Students have a hard time believing certain properties in Geometry because they cannot visualize what is happening," said said Marc Johnson, a math teacher for the district, also in a prepared statement. "They tend to get stuck on certain types of pictures and struggle to transfer certain concepts when diagrams change. The StarBoard allows a teacher to make these illustrations come to life. It is great to have the ability to build and manipulate shapes in front of the students, instead of being tied to my desk and computer."
Lewis-Palmer School District serves about 5,800 students in El Paso County in Colorado. It comprises five elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools and, according to information posted on the district's Web site, boasts a graduation rate of 98.5 percent.