Collaboration

New Collaboration Software Allows Teachers Students Access From Any Device

• By Michael Hart
• 06/29/16

New software designed to allow teachers and students to create and share content on almost any connected device has been introduced to the education market. Ormiboard is a digital platform with lessons, assessment tools and activities.

Designed by EXO U for real-time collaboration on any operating system, Ormiboard's shared canvas for authoring aspires to combine with device management tools to transform an entire classroom — or anywhere a group of people have devices — into a giant, immersive whiteboard.

For example, in the classroom, teachers can select a screen from any student's device and share it on a display — or multiple displays — at the front of the room. Teachers can also integrate Ormiboard with Google Classroom, Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote and other well-known educational resources.

The platform will come pre-loaded with a database of searchable lessons and activities that include six types of instant assessment, click-and-drag assignments, games and exams. EXO U will be adding more content as it becomes available and teachers can create their own games and lessons — and give their students the ability to do so as well.

There are two versions, one for school districts and another for individual teachers.

Go is designed for teachers who want fast access on any device via web browser. It allows up to 30 students to open a browser, enter a PIN, and start collaborating online. It is offered at a subscription rate of $89 per year.

Pro is designed for schools and districts, delivered as a downloadable or pre-installed software with a perpetual license ($599). It enables device integration and collaborative sharing over existing networks via local WiFi (no Internet access required).

Pro is quicker than Go and offers split-view capabilities for multi-touch panels and tables. It also gives administrators dashboard control over buildings, classrooms, teachers, users and content groupings.

Both versions will be available by August 15 and those who sign up for Go before September 15 will receive a $30 discount on the first year.

An online Ormiboard Academy will offer a series of 30- to 45-minute basic JavaScript lessons for teachers and students in the fourth grade or above.