New Jersey District Boosts Interactive Whiteboard Population

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 07/11/13

A New Jersey district is escalating its use of interactive whiteboard technology. Winslow Township School District in Atco recently approved the purchase of 110 Mimio MimioBoards and requisite professional development to prepare its elementary schools in time for their September opening. The budget for the whiteboards is about $121,000. Training for teachers, principals, and computer specialists adds another $2,800 to the initiative.

The MimioBoard is an interactive whiteboard with a twist. It comes equipped with a MimioTeach bar, a handheld gadget that can be removed from the side of the whiteboard and used elsewhere to turn a static whiteboard into an interactive one.

This isn't the first set of Mimio products being used by the district. According to Darryl Scott, supervisor of educational technology, teachers already use MimioStudio Classroom software and MimioVote. The MimioStudio software powers other Mimio devices and provides classroom and content management and assessment capabilities. MimioVote is a handset device passed out to students that allows them to take polls and assessments on the fly and enables the teacher to gauge student understanding of the topic being discussed.

"The addition of the MimioBoard made perfect sense not only in terms of empowering our teachers and students with the most relevant interactive technology, but also in light of its comprehensiveness," said Scott. He added that no other product piloted by the district "offered the full package of affordability and ease of use."

Scott noted that the teachers expect to access MimioConnect, an online teaching community that includes lesson plans and activities.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • three silhouetted education technology leaders with thought bubbles containing AI-related icons

    Ed Tech Leaders Rank Generative AI as Top Tech Priority

    In a recent CoSN survey, an overwhelming majority of ed tech leaders (94%) said they see AI as having a positive impact on education. Respondents ranked generative AI as their top tech priority, with 80% reporting their districts have gen AI initiatives underway, or plan to in the current school year.

  • computer monitor with a bold AI search bar on the screen

    Google Rolls Out AI Mode in Search

    About a year after introducing AI Overviews for its flagship search offering, Google has announced broad availability of AI Mode in Search.

  • glowing shield hovers above a digital cloud platform with abstract data streams and cloud icons in the background

    Google to Acquire Cloud Security Firm Wiz in $32 Billion Deal

    Google has announced it will acquire cloud security startup Wiz for $32 billion. If completed, the acquisition — an all-cash deal — would mark the largest in Google's history.

  • students using digital devices, surrounded by abstract AI motifs and soft geometric design

    Ed Tech Startup Kira Launches AI-Native Learning Platform

    A new K-12 learning platform aims to bring personalized education to every student. Kira, one of the latest ed tech ventures from Andrew Ng, former director of Stanford's AI Lab and co-founder of Coursera and DeepLearning.AI, "integrates artificial intelligence directly into every educational workflow — from lesson planning and instruction to grading, intervention, and reporting," according to a news announcement.