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Teacher work-life balance is one of the worst in any profession. Between administrative tasks and actual teaching, burnout is a real concern. But through a few surprisingly simple changes there are a number of things educators and administrators can do. From more teacher flexibility to specialized resources, teacher burnout can be significantly reduced. Read on for 6 strategies to improve teacher work-life balance.
Many potential teachers may need to rethink their career choice if they knew about a typical teacher’s work-life balance.
The UK Department of Education reports a steep increase in the number of children enrolling in state schools in the next decade. In addition, there is an estimated need for an additional 30,000 teachers to maintain healthy pupil-to-teacher ratios according to the Institute of Fiscal Studies. This situation has the potential to be catastrophic for the standards of education in the UK and the teachers working here.
If you look at the current responsibilities an average teacher is expected to tackle, it is easy to see why workload and work-life balance are cited as the main reasons for teachers wanting to leave the profession. Teachers in UK schools currently prepare plans for the term, the week and each lesson, adhering to expected standards for the sake of quantifying progress.
However, for the majority of experienced teachers, all this paperwork is a drain of valuable time. Teachers generally agree with the need for a scheme of work but a daily or weekly lesson plan is superfluous when a detailed scheme of work for the term has been produced. As well as this, they document the progress of the plans after the lesson has occurred, on top of student progression and take notes of any necessary interactions with students. This is before they even get to setting and marking homework.
With an average class size of 30 students, and 5 different classes a week, teachers would need to provide lesson plans, progress reports, setting assignments, and marking homework for 150 students each week to half term. A Guardian survey of teachers suggested over three-quarters of teachers are working up to 65 hours a week, the majority of this just in preparational activities. In England, 43% of teachers are planning to leave the profession in the next five years.
Already it is clear to see how bureaucracy within schools has overburdened and overshadowed teaching as a profession, without even taking into account factors such as funding cuts, exam changes, and Ofsted monitoring which further amplify the negative and hostile environment that teachers have to struggle through to succeed in their profession.
1. Allow for different approach styles
2. Give realistic timescales for feedback
3. Offer allocated “office time”
4. Add some remedial classes
5. Re-look at how homework is managed
6. Think about adding external markers
How can more people be encouraged to consider the profession and progress within it? With small adjustments to the current perspective on the fundamentally necessary elements of educating, teachers’ workloads can be made more manageable so that they are able to focus on teaching, allowing more within the profession to feel they are able to make the difference they want to.
Students and teachers alike can have different styles of approach that impact how they process and receive information. Some teachers may find it necessary to record a large amount of information whilst others may not need such stringent detail. Similarly, some students expect regular feedback, whilst others do not benefit from this and are happy to receive feedback infrequently. In addition to this, constantly monitoring students has been shown to have little effect on actually improving grades whilst at the same time, taking away more beneficial teaching time.
In addition, it may be just as important to manage the expectations of students and superiors in reference to realistic timescales for feedback as it is to manage workload. This would essentially, give teachers more control and flexibility in how they manage their own workload and would have the added benefit of giving teachers a sense of value and respect.
If teachers were allocated “office time”, students who wished to discuss their work on a more regular basis would be able to do so. Students, who do not benefit from the constant reporting and feedback would have the option of attending remedial classes that allows the teacher to focus more on points that students are struggling with and give them dedicated time to go over any specific block in their knowledge in a practical way. This would allow teachers the means to increase students’ understanding whilst being managed within school time.
A further benefit to changing feedback in this way is that it is possible for a more thorough progress report to be given to students termly or even twice yearly allowing the student and the school to see trends over time, and where improvement is needed. This may be more beneficial as it is a more digestible format than a multitude of reports, which could essentially miss the wood for all the trees.
The weakness with a strategy like this is that it would depend on the capability of the teacher. If the teacher is failing to meet standards or is managing their time badly, it might take longer to identify this in comparison to constant reporting. However, the likelihood is that it would be a marginal difference, which is a small price to pay if the alternative is critical teacher shortages and a falling standard of education within the UK.
Looking at how homework is managed is another way of reducing teachers’ workloads and improving their work-life balance. One way to do this would be to utilize technology and provide homework programs that are self-marking, allowing this time-consuming task to be removed from the responsibilities of the teacher. This would be best suited for subjects such as math and science that have a high rate of empirical, objective information (questions with one or more specific answers). However, with subjects like English for example, where a wide range of correct answers is possible, schools should consider the use of external markers, which again would then free up teachers to focus on educating.
By making these small but significant changes, it is possible to drastically improve the workload and work-life balance teachers are currently experiencing with little to no impact on resources or available funding. However it is done, it is vitally important to start addressing this issue, as without some alteration, the situation is due to escalating uncontrollably in the near future, which would be disastrous for young people today and future generations.
If you are in educational strategy or management, try starting a discussion within your school today. Every teacher you can keep counts. Every teacher you can recruit is a windfall. A great education for students starts by having well-rested and prepared teachers in the classrooms.
This article was contributed by Leon Hady, former Headteacher of an ‘Outstanding’ school in the UK and creator of Tutionkit.com
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Dual monitor bundles save you or your organization money and time while offering the benefits of two monitors. How? The increased productivity of two screens comes at a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) both initially and over the monitor’s lifetime. How? The answer is surprisingly simple: less work, less maintenance, less material. Find out how a dual monitor bundle boosts productivity at a lower price than the typical dual monitor setup or see some of our dual monitor bundles now.
When you only pay for what you need, you save money. When you don’t need a monitor stand, there’s no reason to pay for one. That’s why our dual head monitor bundles were created!
Designed for environments ranging from modern-day offices to large manufacturing facilities, dual monitor bundles boost productivity. Not only do dual head monitors help users switch between windows much more efficiently, but they’re also engineered to reduce TCO (total cost of ownership) at every stage of the product lifecycle.
Shipped in one package without any monitor stands, and with less packaging, these dual monitors add efficiency, cut costs, and offer a reduced environmental footprint. One may not think a stand costs enough to matter. But during a major installation, these costs quickly add up.
Implementing dual screens while only paying for the components you need leads to much better TCO. Across the entire product lifecycle, ViewSonic® finds ways to save you money.
Working with Fortune 500 customers, we found many cases where cost-conscious customers do not need (or want to pay for) monitor stands. That’s why we’re proud to offer monitors without stands.
There are many costs of owning monitors across the product lifecycle. To reduce TCO, it’s important to look at all the costs involved in a purchase. The ‘unit cost’ of a monitor is much like the metaphorical ‘tip of an iceberg.’
At first glance, that’s all there is. Working to create the best TCO for customers, we’ve identified many hidden costs lying underneath the surface.
Below the tip of the metaphorical iceberg, these hidden costs include:
So, here’s how ViewSonic helps lower these costs:
The more monitors you’re installing, the more important it is to look at these costs. Hidden costs arise from installation to the costs of repair.
In addition, ergonomics are another hidden cost that comes into play.
Talking with customers, a major concern is finding ways to cut costs and achieve lower TCO. This is why dual-head monitor bundles were created.
Dual head monitor bundles save you money by lowering TCO. Sold as a dual pack, these monitors are designed to provide you with exactly what you’ll need.
Dual monitor bundles save you money, based on the type of stand you no longer have to pay for. So, how much would you save from not having to pay for stands? It depends on the number of workstations you’re setting up. Here are a few examples.
How much you would save from not having to buy stands for 100 workstations (note: 2 monitors per workstation):
Many of our partners install dual monitor bundles in much larger spaces. Here’s how much would you save from not having to buy stands for 1000 workstations:
Have an even bigger installation? Our largest customers often have installations in the range of 3,000 workstations.
Some of the largest automotive manufacturers on the planet have saved even more money by going green. 100% recyclable packaging is available. This cuts even more costs by not having to pay recycling/disposal fees on a large number of cartons.
ViewSonic dual monitor packs are bundled in sturdy cardboard packaging without packing foam. By being 100% recyclable this also saves time. (No sorting out non-recyclables). See how using green packaging reduces your carbon footprint and saves you money.
ViewSonic looks for ways to reduce as many costs as possible. But, dual head monitor bundles do more than just reduce the total cost of ownership. Beyond TCO, dual screens boost productivity.
By increasing the amount of screen real estate available, they’re great for just about any application. Dual screens allow the user to do a lot more at the same time. Essentially, they make multitasking a breeze. Less tabbing. Less swapping. More windows. More productivity.
Whether the end-user is working on a Powerpoint presentation, multiple spreadsheets at the same time, or working in a specialized industry, dual screens enhance desktop productivity. See this link for more on how dual and ultrawide monitors increase screen real estate.
Beyond TCO, dual monitors help end-users by:
Shipped in a single package that includes two monitors without monitor stands, dual monitor bundles are easier to transport and unpack. Just open the box and lift out the two screens. What’s more, standard VESA-mounting makes these monitors easier to set up and deploy and saves IT teams valuable time for more productive tasks.
Dual monitor packs come in 100% recyclable packaging. Biodegradable, eco-friendly, paper-based packaging takes up less space and minimizes recycling costs. Without bulky polystyrene foam, our packaging reduces pollution and landfill usage for a lower environmental footprint. To lessen chemical usage and waste, the exterior of the packaging uses only mono-color printing.
A complete redesign from the ground up, the VG48 Series is our next-generation enterprise display. The VG48 Series aims to deliver an end-to-end solution. From easy deployment to legendary user experience. Packed in an environmentally friendly bio-degradable carton, the VG48 is the first VG display to incorporate Quick Release function for a quick and tool-less installation.
With standard VESA-compatible mounting and less packaging, these monitors can be quickly unpacked and deployed to help enhance IT team productivity. From entry-level to high performance, ViewSonic carries an expansive line of dual screen options.
Further, the ViewSonic-exclusive ergonomic stand offers 40-degree tilt to allow for flexible positioning and easy collaboration. The super-narrow bezel makes multi-monitor setup a breeze.
There are many costs of displays throughout the entire lifecycle. Reduce those costs with ViewSonic’s line of enterprise monitors. Two screens are better than one!
ViewSonic dual monitor bundles include:
Rest Easy:
Backed by our 30-year reputation for quality and reliability, our award-winning monitors are also protected by one of the industry’s best pixel performance policies and carry a limited warranty for three (3) years from the date of first consumer purchase on parts, labor, and LCD backlight. Our VIP program also includes award-winning customer support and Express Exchange® service.
Purchasing an education projector is a challenge. You need to keep in mind the environment where you want to use the projector, including size, space, and lighting. And you also need to know the various features available so that you can find the projector that best fits your needs. We go into both in this in-depth article. And you won’t want to miss our handy guide to common projector features.Read on to learn everything you ever wanted to know about purchasing an education projector.
Considering an education projector for your classrooms or lecture hall? That’s a smart move. This useful tech has a long history of helping educators present content. Teachers have used projection systems for well over a century to bring engaging content to students.
Today, image quality is better than ever. There’s an abundance of education projector options to choose from. Meeting the needs of educators, administrators and IT staff is easier than ever. Choosing, however, can be daunting. Understanding the key technologies and specifications can help you find your best-fit education projector.
First, taking the time to assess your needs and installation conditions will help you pick an education projector you’ll be satisfied with. Consider classroom size and number of students. Assess lighting conditions and the ability to control ambient light.
Student needs also play a role. This includes the type of content you plan to display, your interactivity goals, and whether you want to avoid distracting shadows and glare.
There are specific features in education projectors to address each of these needs. Ultra-short throw projectors do the most to minimize shadows. Network projectors deliver time-saving centralized control. Interactive projection enables added collaboration. There is, of course, a great deal of overlap among these categories. For example, most interactive projectors include networking capabilities and are available in short- or ultra-short-throw models.
You’ll want to consider some other key specifications. These affect the quality of the results your education projector produces. They include:
Finally, you’ll want to assess connectivity. As well as look for features that increase ease of set up and use. Below, we’ll look at each of these key categories and specs for education projectors. First, we’ll look at why projection is an ideal education display solution.
Classroom projectors have been around much longer than large-screen displays. The use of TV-like displays for education is a recent trend. This is largely due to greater availability and reduced cost. Projectors and large-screen displays are both useful technologies. Both can offer an effective classroom viewing experience. Each has differing features and benefits. Reduced maintenance and cost are the main advantages of interactive flat-panel displays. This is because they lack the bulbs and filters used in traditional bulb-based projectors.
Projectors offer many benefits that can’t be matched by digital displays, however. The advantages projectors provide to education environments include:
With so many benefits to offer, it’s not surprising that projection technology has flourished. It’s popular across the gamut of professions, industries, and home uses. Today’s education projectors include many different styles. There are tiny, ultra-light portable models. Ultra-high-end devices for use in auditoriums. And everything in between. For classrooms, the field can be narrowed. Three projector categories are most often used to address the needs of this environment:
Network-ready projection solutions save schools time and money. That’s why they’re used by many school districts and higher ed campuses. Network projectors connect to a local area network (LAN). The connection can be wired or wireless. Networked education projectors can be installed across any size school, district or campus, then remotely operated and monitored. This reduces the time and cost burden of managing multiple projectors across multiple locations. The result is improved overall projector total cost of ownership (TCO) plus greater projector availability to support learning objectives.
Networked projectors expand instruction options. Educators can send content to one or more projectors from any location with network access. A single high-school or higher-ed instructor can transmit the same course material to several classrooms or auditoriums at the same time. In elementary schools, students in multiple classrooms can simultaneously view virtual field trips, author talks or other content. The possibilities for cost-effectively extending learning opportunities are limitless.
Remote network management saves IT time. Staff can monitor and control all campus or classroom projectors from a single PC. Routine maintenance can be accomplished without the need for physical contact with each projector. Real-time email alerts provide maintenance updates. Automatic alters include everything from power status and lamp life to unit presence and warnings. Many remote operations enable rapid response. These preventative actions minimize downtime – a big plus for learning.
Classroom size, space constraints, and desired image size are important to consider when choosing an education projector solution. Here’s why: The farther any projector is from the screen, the larger the image it can project. However, the distance a projector must be from the screen to project the same size image varies. This difference is called a projector’s “throw ratio.”
The throw ratio is determined by the type of lens used. It’s determined by the following equation. The distance (D) of the lens from the screen divided by the width (W) of the projected image. D/W = projection ratio.
Projectors are classified as regular, short, and ultra-short throw. For example, if a classroom has an 80” screen, a standard throw projector will need to be at least 7- 8 feet from the screen. A short-throw projector will need to be 3-3.5 feet away. And an ultra-short throw projector can be as close as 2-2.5 feet from the screen. In general, a regular throw ratio is 1.1 and above. Short-throw projector ratios are from 0.6 to 0.8. Ultra-short throw ratios are anything less than 0.5.
In many classrooms, it can be difficult to project a reasonably-sized image with a standard throw projector. In smaller classrooms, it would need to be placed close to the screen. The result would be a small projected image size difficult for all students to see. Additionally, mounting projectors directly above the audience is often prohibited. So again, the projector may need to be mounted close to the screen to avoid being above students. Even in larger classrooms, standard-throw projectors can be problematic. Because they’re situated behind students, they can create distracting lights and shadows.
Because of these constraints and concerns, education projectors with a shorter throw distance are an ideal solution for classrooms. Short-throw projectors reduce the projection distance by more than half. Projectors with a high-quality short-throw lens enable stunning, big-screen results. Even in small spaces. Furthermore, short-throw lenses reduce shadowing on the projected image. They spare students from the distraction of blinding lights.
Ultra-short throw projectors add to the advantages of their short-throw cousins. Ultra-close installation eliminates shadows, glare, hotspots, and reflection. These advantages are enabled by a highly specialized lens. Until around 2010, these lenses were cost-prohibitive for most schools. The tech has since become much more prevalent in school systems.
Interactive technology is one of the fastest-growing EdTech categories. Numerous studies have shown that student engagement and learning outcomes improve when it’s employed. The interactive whiteboard (IWB) is the most well-known of these technologies. Recently, interactive touch screen displays have been gaining traction. Interactive projectors were introduced in 2009.
Interactive education projectors use tech that was previously only available in interactive flat panels (IFPs). With these projectors, any flat surface can become interactive. Users can write, draw, and annotate on the projected image with interactive pens. Interactive software, which varies by manufacturer, lets multiple users interact at the same time. Other features may include background templates and copy-saving capabilities. A reveal curtain or spotlight may be offered to highlight content. Often, interactive pens can also be used as a wireless mouse to conveniently drag or open files.
Interactive education projector solutions offer advantages over traditional IWBs. Not the least of these is a lower initial cost to implement. Another benefit is the ability to easily integrate with many existing IWB systems. This offers a cost-effective way to upgrade to more advanced capabilities.
Several additional features impact an education projector’s overall picture quality. This holds true for interactive, short throw and network projectors.
Most education projectors are based on DLP or LCD technology. Digital light processing (DLP) is the most-used projector tech for all types of applications. This includes the most basic projectors to the most advanced, such as those used in high-end digital theaters.
All projectors use some type of light source to create projected images. There are three options: LEDs, lamps, and lasers.
LEDs are used in pico projectors – tiny models designed to be extremely portable. Many are so small they can fit in a pocket or purse. They can be a great way to extend resources among classrooms. LED light sources are eco-friendly. They consume less power and generate less heat than traditional bulbs. They’re also mercury-free, for easier disposal and less hazardous waste. Because LEDs don’t contain a filament, they last significantly longer than traditional bulbs. They power on in an instant, for a fast startup – another reason they’re great classroom projectors. LED projectors are also cooler and quieter to operate than lamp-based projectors. On the downside, LED-based projectors are typically not as bright as those powered by other light sources. This can limit their use in some applications. In terms of lifespan, LED-based education projectors reign supreme, with over 30,000 hours of operational life.
Lamp-based education projectors have been around the longest and are the least expensive. Because of this, they can be cost-effective for lower-use applications. They’re common and popular classroom projectors. For frequent use, however, the need to replace bulbs and clean filters increase their total cost of ownership. Lamp replacement can also cause downtime, interrupting class when a bulb unexpectedly blows out. Lamp brightness and color tend to fade. However, the impact of this is often minimal. Because it happens over time it’s often not noticed. The lifespan of lamp-based projectors is shorter than LED- or laser-based projectors, typically 10,000 hours. Traditional bulbs are also the least eco-friendly option. They contain mercury and require appropriate disposal to minimize harm.
Laser is the latest thing in projection light source technology. It offers several advantages. Education projectors with laser light sources have a higher up-front cost. But they can be quite cost-effective over time. This is thanks to their longer lifespan and lower maintenance needs. Laser projectors deliver precise color and high brightness levels that remain stable across their 20,000 hours of life. Another helpful feature for education is instant on/off. Unlike lamp-based projectors, lasers need no warm-up period. This adds efficiency and conserves valuable class time. Laser is a mercury-free, eco-friendly option. It consumes less power than traditional lamp-based projectors.
Most education projectors will include some type of technology to enhance color performance. One of the better known is BrlliantColor™ by Texas Instruments. It’s used in many projector brands. Some manufacturers offer proprietary tech to expand upon BrilliantColor benefits. This includes ViewSonic SuperColor™. This unique color wheel design delivers higher brightness and a wider range of true-to-life colors. The result is an immersive viewing experience in any lighting condition.*
Benefits to look in for an advanced color processing technology include:
Native resolution refers to the number of pixels a projector has available to create an image. It’s typically shortened to simply “resolution.” The first number represents the number of pixels in each horizontal row. The second is the number of pixels in each vertical column. Multiplying the two delivers the total number of pixels the projector can display. The higher the resolution, the more pixels.
Resolution is the number of dots or pixels used to display an image. Higher resolutions mean that more pixels are used to create the image resulting in a crisper, cleaner image. High resolution is important for projecting detailed charts and graphs, text, and high-definition video. The resolution is indicated by a number combination such as 1920 x 1200. This indicates that there are 1920 dots horizontally across the display by 1200 lines of dots vertically, equaling 2,304,000 total dots that make up the image seen on the screen.
Higher-resolution education projectors can display a greater degree of detail. They reduce or eliminate visible pixelation, for crisper viewing at a closer range. They’re also more compatible with high-definition source content. For the most part, as resolution increases, so does cost. In general, for classroom use, ultra-high resolution isn’t needed for typical viewing material. Exceptions may include specialized classes with high-detail content such as science, technology or math.
A related spec is a projector’s “maximum resolution.” Native resolution refers to the total number of actual pixels displayed. The maximum resolution has nothing to do with the projector’s physical display. Instead, maximum resolution refers to which content signal resolutions the projector can display. Content is available in many different signals. Projectors are programmed to recognize and process a number of these signals, based on their popularity in a given market. Maximum resolution is the highest signal resolution that a projector is programmed to process and display.
Projectors can convert signal resolutions that differ from their native resolution. To do this they use a process called “scaling.” When a signal exceeds a projector’s native resolution, the image is compressed into fewer pixels. When a signal has a lower-than-native resolution, the projector must expand it in order to display a full-frame image. When the source material is scaled, there will always be a loss of signal quality. This results in a somewhat softer image compared to the same material displayed at its native resolution. For many classroom uses, this will rarely be noticeable. However, it can be problematic in some circumstances. These include the projection of data such as text or mathematics content, which suffers the most from being scaled.
The resolution abilities of any education projector are limited by the native resolution of your source material. Low-quality signals result in lower-quality images. This is the case regardless of the projector’s native resolution. The larger the screen, the more noticeable this will be. To achieve the best image quality, match the resolution of the content to the projector’s resolution.
Thankfully, video scaling technology has advanced considerably. Today scaling can produce images nearly as crisp and clear as they would be displayed in native format. For displaying data content, matching projector-source resolution is more critical.
The most popular resolutions for education projectors include:
Contrast ratio is the difference between an image’s white and black components. For example, a contrast ratio of 1000:1 means that the black levels will be 1000 times darker than the white levels. The larger the contrast ratio, the greater the difference between the brightest whites and the darkest blacks a projector can display.
In general, a projector’s ability to create image depth increases along with contrast ratio. It’s an important spec for home theater projectors and other high-end uses. It’s less critical to the needs of a typical classroom. This is because the benefits of high contrast ratios are only noticeable in highly light-controlled spaces. Think pitch-black auditorium or theater. Therefore, a high-contrast ratio education projector would be a good choice for lecture halls and theater spaces. In a typical multi-use classroom, however, projectors are used with some degree of ambient light. For these settings, contrast ratios of 4,000:1 – 10,000:1 are sufficient to deliver a satisfying visual experience.
Projector brightness is measured in ANSI lumens (or simply, lumens). Brightness output ranges between 500 – 10,000 lumens. Importantly, brighter is not always better. For one thing, brighter means more costly. For another, most environments don’t need a high-brightness education projector to achieve satisfying results. To determine your brightness needs, consider your ambient lighting and the size of the audience and screen.
Ambient light is the most critical factor in determining the best education projector brightness for your needs. The more light you have, or want, during viewing, the higher the brightness you’ll need to deliver a sharp, clear image.
For most classrooms, instructors want a moderate level of lighting during projection. This allows for eye contact, interaction and safe movement around the room. In these cases, a mid-range brightness of 2,500-3,500 lumens is generally good. This range offers the flexibility to project in a range of lighting conditions. However, if the room will always be darkened, or always be lit, you’ll want to choose a projector on either end of the brightness spectrum. Keep in mind that a projector bright enough to shine through a great deal of ambient light will be hard on the eyes in a dark room. Conversely, a low level of brightness will look washed out in a room with lots of ambient light.
The larger the projected image, the lower the perceived brightness of any projector. This is due to the distribution of light over a larger area. The typical number of people that will be in a room is a good guideline for picking your education projector. It can help you determine the optimal projected image size for comfortable viewing. As a general rule, the more people in the room, the larger the ideal screen size. Typical classroom projection size ranges from around 60 to 80 inches (measured diagonally). The typical average audience size is 20-30 students. These conditions are ideal for projectors delivering from 3,000- 5,000 lumens.
Larger spaces, such as lecture halls and auditorium, benefit from higher brightness. For these spaces, look for projectors that offer from 4,000 – 6,000 lumens.
Projectors can be grouped by ANSI lumen output as follows:
Projectors with brightness ratings higher than 5,000 lumens are considered “high bright” and are intended for high-end commercial use. This can include installation in some higher education settings.
A projector’s aspect ratio doesn’t directly impact the quality of the projected image. Nonetheless, it is an important spec. That’s because it determines the image’s shape and space occupied on the screen. The aspect ratio defines the relationship between the width and the height of an image. It’s used to describe projection screens and content sources as well as projectors. For example, a 16:9 projector, projection screen or content source will have 16 units of width for every 9 units of height. This results in a rectangular shape. Projectors, screens and content sources with a 4:3 aspect ratio will have 4 units of width for every 3 units of height. These images more closely resemble a square.
As with resolution, challenges arise the projector’s aspect ratio doesn’t match aspect ratio of the source content. Ideally, the aspect ratio of the projector, projection surface, and content source are aligned. When these match, the image will fully cover the screen. When the content aspect ratio doesn’t match that of the projector, a portion of the screen will remain unused. For example, when watching 4:3 content on a 16:9 display, there are black bars along the top and bottom or sides of the screen.
Most education projectors today offer the popular 16:9 aspect ratio. This corresponds to the familiar HDTV standard and Full HD 1080p desktop displays for computing. However, there are many other formats. The aspect ratio of cloud-based content, movies and video content vary. For example, TV programs and videos made for non-HD TV are developed in the legacy 4:3 format. Content delivered on DVDs comes in a wide range of formats.
There’s no universal standard for video content. Because of this, it’s highly unlikely that the aspect ratio of your education projector will always match up with all content teachers want to display. Fortunately, most projectors can scale images to fill all or most of the screen. Scaling inevitably entails some loss of detail. However, it’s generally quite minimal and is rarely noticeable when displaying video and images. For curriculums that relies heavily on text-based content, matching the projector and source content aspect ratio is of greater importance.
Beyond these basic specs are some features that make installing and operating an education projector easier and more efficient. Among the things to look for are:
Virtually all of today’s education content and apps rely on sound to enhance their message. However, not all education projectors include audio. Those that do may deliver sub-optimal quality that’s difficult to hear throughout a classroom. Projector manufacturers may cite high wattage levels to indicate sound quality. This can be misleading, as wattage alone isn’t a reliable measure of speaker performance.
Education projectors that deliver great sound quality plus high-quality images are designed and made with both of these attributes in mind. Look for options such as ViewSonic projectors with SonicExpert™ technology. SonicExpert speakers are specifically designed to deliver higher volume and enhanced sound quality in a compact projector speaker.
One HDMI port is a must for ensuring that your education projector has connectivity for the most current source content. Dual HDMI inputs add flexibility for easy setup and installation, with fewer cabling concerns. These inputs allow for the simultaneous connection of two HDMI-enabled video sources. Devices such as digital cameras, smartphones, laptops, satellite boxes, and Blu-ray/DVD players. Projectors with dual HDMI inputs minimize time spent switching between inputs.
Most education projectors offer at a minimum a VGA (analog) connector for a computer and a composite video connector for video equipment. If your computer has a digital output (typically HDMI) you may want a digital connection on the projector as well. This will eliminate any chance of problems like jittering pixels caused by poor signal synchronization. For video sources, HDMI is the preferred connection choice (assuming your video equipment has HDMI connectors). Component video is a close second. Some projectors include Mobile High-Definition Link-enabled HDMI ports. MHL-enabled ports let you project from Android devices, and, in some cases, charge them as well.
Education projectors with a USB power port let teachers use wireless HDMI dongles like Google Chromecast™ to stream multimedia content. This enables them to present an endless array of material from their mobile devices. It also lets them do so while moving around the room for increased classroom participation and interaction with students. Added features to look for include an integrated dongle compartment. This adds ease to wireless streaming by keeping media dongles secure and out of sight.
Need to share resources among classrooms? Teach in several locations across the campus? Look for education projectors designed for lightweight portability. LED-powered projectors are ideal, often weighing in at under two pounds. Look for features that add ease and options. High-quality Bluetooth speakers create room-filling sound. Smart TV capabilities make it easy to stream Kahn Academy, TED-Ed content and so much more. Another example is ViewSonic’s built-in Smart Stand. Enabling 360-degree rotation, the Smart Stand makes set up fast and easy. Better yet, it doubles as a protective lens cover with auto on-off to conserve battery life.
While still relatively uncommon in the classroom, 3D can be used to enhance specialized lesson content. Education projectors with the latest HDMI technology deliver the best 3D results. With HDMI you’ll get the highest picture and sound quality without degradation. And you’ll be able to display 3D images directly from 3D Blu-ray players.
Look for options like single-button controls that let you to preset brightness and other settings on your education projector. One-button controls that dim screen brightness when you pause content reduce power consumption and extend the life of projector lamps. An auto dim feature when the projector is idle also helps in these regards. Both are energy- and cost-saving enhancements that are good for the environment and your budget.
Smart design features can make using and maintaining your education projector easier and more enjoyable. Cable management hoods reduce cord clutter and tripping hazards. Easy-access lamp doors save time, reduce frustration increase maintenance efficiency.
The longer the lamp life, the lower a projector’s TCO. This can be an important factor in a heavy-use classroom environment.
Education projectors provide a cost-effective way for schools to display multimedia content for easy classroom viewing. They deliver a range of capabilities ideal for higher education and larger spaces as well. Durability, space savings, and wide-angle viewing are among the benefits education projectors deliver. Many of today’s education projectors offer filter-free design and offer extended lamp life for an even greater TCO advantage. This can effectively enable schools to extend their technology budgets. Careful assessment of room requirements and the features outlined above will help ensure a good education projector fit – with the lasting performance to support your school’s needs and ongoing student success.
*Based on normal variance in office/classroom/home lighting conditions.
Growing class size is a serious problem in the UK as teacher shortages become increasingly severe. Without any other option, schools are increasing class sizes for existing teachers. Unfortunately, this is just making the problem worse. Education leadership has to ask themselves some tough questions.Read on for more on the growing class sizes and some possible solutions.
How is class size affected if you are missing 30,000 teachers? The falling number of teachers within UK schools and the potential impact this will have has been at the forefront of people’s minds and has gained a lot of attention in the media.
Staffing levels within schools have been affected, most notably, due to difficulty in recruiting and retaining staff. This is not just because of workload and pressurized conditions making some teachers want to leave the profession but is also the result of funding cuts that mean schools simply can no longer afford to employ the same number of teachers as they had previously.
While euphemisms like ‘restructuring’ can be placed upon these processes, what such terms really reflect is a need to cut back beyond the bare essentials for a safe – let alone effective – education.
As schools across the country are affected by the changes, ranging from poorly performing schools to “outstanding” ones, we have witnessed many schools that are no longer able to replace staff because they simply cannot afford to.
Whilst this raises many concerns and questions regarding the health of our education system, some research has indicated that the biggest concern in this area, and perhaps one of the most immediately felt of current changes, is that of increasingly large class sizes.
Surprisingly, research has suggested that class size doesn’t act as such a wide differentiator for pupil performance as previously thought. However, even with the knowledge that academic performance might not be affected, it is of great importance to consider, beyond the grades, how larger classes might affect pupils.
When does big become “too big”? Will we begin to see primary and secondary school classes reaching 50 and 60 pupils, reflecting sizes more like those seen within Universities? Already, in some areas, schools are reporting climbing class sizes as staff numbers fall.
With such high class numbers starting to become a reality within British schools, we need to be looking at whether the benefits of larger classes appropriately dilute any negative outcomes that might be seen because of larger class sizes.
It is difficult to see how teachers would be able to have any kind of meaningful relationship with students as class sizes increase since time per pupil would ultimately decrease. Beyond this, it is to be expected that pupil engagement would be reduced too, giving children less opportunity to develop critical thinking as they would not have the same capacity to participate and explore their activities or environments.
Furthermore, larger class sizes would mean an increase in workload through an increase in marking and preparation. Ultimately, this would create a negative cycle for teacher recruitment and retention as it would create a more pressurized environment, which may encourage fewer people to enter the profession and more teachers to leave.
Further to this, we need to question why university lecture sizes are able to have such high numbers while it’s expected that primary and secondary school classes are respectively smaller. One reason is undoubtedly is university students have the comprehension and maturity to learn in this way and grasp concepts on a more theoretical basis. Is this something that we should really expect our younger students? And if it’s perhaps not affecting them academically, it is possible that it may be affecting their self-worth and well-being as they are unable to create secure attachments with their teachers; the adults they spend a large part of their lives with.
Unfortunately, like most people, we don’t have an easy answer because there are no easy answers for difficult situations, and any solution will take time, patience, and cooperation to fully realize.
With any answer offered, one thing that is evident is that more people are needed in the profession, as well as people who will be able to take supporting roles that perhaps aren’t available at the moment. The hope in this is that they will be able to take some of the burdens off teachers as well as giving students some opportunity to develop the positive and engaging relationships that they deserve and need.
We owe it to our young people to ensure that they have more opportunities than we had or, at the very least that they have the same ones. However, we can see that the education system is in danger of failing them in this way. This is despite the hard work of teachers and the headteachers in particular, who are trying to maintain high levels of education, even in the face of some of the worst cuts we have ever experienced.
This article was contributed by Leon Hady, the former Headteacher of an ‘Outstanding’ school in the UK. He now focuses on online learning has created an online video personalization portal, helping over 100,000 students pass exams at www.tuitionkit.com and also helping teachers become qualified alongside a nationwide recruitment agency to combat the teacher shortage in the UK Academics.tuitionkit.com.
Get more insights about education and education technology at Viewsonic.com/education.
Modern schools prepare their students for a future of ever-changing opportunities and technological innovation. To help educators and administrators, we’ve identified 6 key elements of a modern school. From creating mission statements to integrating future work skills, there is a lot that goes into modernizing education. Read on for the full list of modern school elements and how to implement them.
A Modern School can be defined as a school developed for students who are living through the 4th industrial revolution and the current changing educational environment. Designing a modern school will be an ongoing process for those in educational leadership. The process of rejuvenating an educational system set up a few hundred years ago will take generations to redefine.
Creating a new system that will fit the needs of students for the next century will be a multifaceted endeavor. The foundation of building a modern school will be based not only on futuristic architecture or fancy technology but designing advance learning spaces and learning environments. It will be about rethinking the foundations of what is education, teaching, and learning.
There are 6 key elements that would create a foundation for modern education.
A mission statement is a summary of the aims of why the organization exists, its goals and its core values. A school should frequently revise their mission statements to reflect the needs of the students and the communities they serve. Problems arise when they become “dated, expressing the values of generations past rather than the current needs and sentiments of the community,” according to TheConversation.com.
It will be up to educational leaders to define which goals would best produce future leaders. For example, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls not only emphasizes intellect but also social skills in its mission statement. This school recognizes that there is a gap in Millennials and Generation Z’s social skills fueled by growing up on mobile phones, social media, and online chatting. In fact, 65% of Millennials in a study felt they are not confident in face-to-face interactions on a survey from One Poll. These types of societal challenges faced by whole generations should be solved while students are building their fundamentals at school.
Other aspects that will become very important for a modern school’s mission statement would include ideas around tolerance, environmentalism, humanity, globalism, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
There are many education models being used to create environments where students will want to learn and can succeed. Examples are STEM, PBL, Inquiry-Based Learning, Interdisciplinary, and Base Learning. Alternatively, there are new educational models such as Freedom-based Learning, Social Constructivism, Critical Pedagogy, Spiritual Developmentalism, Integral Education, and others.
All these models and the many new ones to come are seeking to replace what is being used today. Some are just trendy and will fade away in a few years. Others will stick around for a while or be absorbed into superior models. When building a contemporary education system choosing which educational model to use will be a challenge.
There are many kinds of assessments on the educational landscape. Here are 6 major learning assessment categories from TeachThought.com:
Many of these assessment categories are used in combination to create more holistic assessments of student achievements. Some are used periodically to see where students are at in their learning process, give them practice in applying the concepts, and prepare them for further cumulative assessments. Others are used before and after the instructional periods. No matter which methods are being used, it is recommended to use different types of assessments to create a well-rounded educational environment.
Another challenge to assessment design will be how not to emphasize assessment achievement in schools. A well-rounded education should not just be about grades and high marks. It needs to take into consideration the student’s ability to succeed outside of the formal educational environment. Importance should be given to how to translate report cards and test scores into a student’s ability to contribute to society.
A balance of different assessment methods and the de-emphasis on assessments will be a major pain-point for schools. The creation of new assessment methods and delivery methods of assessment will vastly change this key aspect of educational design.
As with aiding assessment delivery, technology integration or EdTech innovation will lead to the most drastic shifts in education. Technology integration can be split into different levels as described by Dr. Ruben Puentedura in the SAMR Model. SAMR is an acronym standing for Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. These four groupings provide an outline on how to cluster different ways to implement and integrate technology in education. Read more about the SAMR Model here.
The SAMR Model is useful as a scale for understanding how technology affects and influences education. Currently, most teachers would use lower levels of technology integration to either substitute or create functional improvement to their teaching tasks. In the future, many EdTech innovations will allow technology to significantly transform teaching tasks and develop fresh teaching techniques.
Below are three examples of transformative EdTech innovations:
Technology integration in education is unstoppable as our lives depend more and more on our devices. The selection, integration, and successful adoption of such technologies will take much effort from teachers and administrative staff.
The modern school most likely will not look like the schools we went to 20 or 30 years ago. Many decisions need to be made when redesigning the classroom such as seating arrangement, collaboration zones and show casting areas. This can also be applied to the whole school on a larger scale. Top school architecture firms will help schools think about how spaces can best serve their students, teachers, and administrators’ needs.
Another factor to consider is gathering data from the use of these spaces, which would entail integrations of big data analytics and concepts of the Internet of Things(IoT). Technology-capable devices will transform basic classroom items like Student ID cards, whiteboards, doors, and desks with more capabilities and functionalities. The classroom and campus of the future should be able to deliver real-time insights, safer environments and efficiently use resources.
One of the main goals of receiving a good education is to be able to find a great career in the future. The World Economic Forum report The Future of Jobs 2018 identified two major trends that will affect the future of work for the students of today:
Education today should prepare students for these two major trends in their future work environments. By the year 2022, jobs like Data Scientist, AI Specialist, and Digital Transformation Specialist will take the place of declining jobs like Data Entry Clerks, Accountants, and Factory Workers. As educators, we need to design courses and lessons that will integrate skills that will be needed for students to get such careers.
As with any major shift in systems, the change management process of defining and implementing modern education design will be a hard one. We can either adopt popular organizational change management models or create one specifically for education.
For example, the McKinsey 7-S Model from organizational change management analyzes seven aspects of an organization and how they affect each other during the change process:
Using such tools will help schools align different aspects and give guidance in finding the optimal transition process.
Much leadership, planning, consultants, solution providers, system integrators will be needed in developing modern schools. It will be a multi-layered complex change to the whole education system. Not only will teaching environments but also how we teach and what we teach will go thought systematic changes. If successful students will come out ready for the deviations that the 4th industrial revolution will bring.
Learn more about topics around EdTech and education at ViewSonic.com/Education.
Interactive touch screen displays in education are poised to make unprecedented changes in how teachers teach and learners learn. There are many reasons to use interactive whiteboards in a classroom, and those range from student engagement and performance to teacher and administrator efficiency. They also come with a few unexpected benefits.Read the full list of 10 ways an interactive touch screen display can improve students’ learning journey and classroom’s effectiveness, or visit ViewSonic Education Solutions for a closer look at this powerful technology.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for ideal classroom display solutions. Fortunately, schools have options. Most classrooms benefit significantly from at least one interactive whiteboard. Many find that more than one display is ideal for flexible classrooms that maximize active learning.
Interactive touch screen displays, also known as interactive touchscreen displays (or just interactive displays) deliver loads of educational benefits. Here are 10 of the top advantages of using an interactive touch screen display in your school.
Interactive touch screen displays are meant to assist with active learning, provided that teachers use them for more than showing videos and slides. It’s one of the greatest advantages these dynamic devices bring to the classroom.
As the name implies, active learning is learning through engaging with content. By becoming involved in the learning process. That it works so well should come as no surprise to seasoned educators. Countless activities facilitate active learning but many, if not most, are enhanced when instructors and students use interactive whiteboards.
Collaboration. Students working together consistently tops the list of active learning aproaches. Interactive touch screen displays are masterful at enabling collaboration, especially with the multitouch feature that lets several students write onscreen content at the same time. It’s an ideal way to brainstorm, present, analyze text or images. Work through an experiment or engage with a learning game. (All of which, by the way, are recommended activities for active learning.) Add collaboration software and students can cast and share content from their seats. Even better, use an interactive touch screen display that comes with it out of the box or offers secure cloud-based capabilities.
Demonstration. When students show, explain, and teach, their minds are actively engaged in the learning process. Do these things on a large interactive screen and the benefits blossom. Have a process to demonstrate? Step up to the interactive touch screen and diagram it out. Create a presentation with teammates and present together on the big screen. Break into workgroups to learn about different aspects of a topic, then teach the rest of the class. With an interactive touch screen, students can pull content from the internet. Annotate on top of slides to highlight key points. Add video and audio clips. And so much more. Students are adept at finding creative ways to use tech. Give them the tools. Provide the direction. Then let them loose. You’ll be amazed at what they come up with.
Experimentation. Forget telling students about the results of scientific study. Lecturing is old school. Active learning is paramount to maximizing STEM learning. Interactive touch screen displays bring STEM subjects to life. Students can conduct labs and experiments at the display. Work out equations as a team. And share their inquiry via screencasting to spark group discussion. Try Digital Frog for a humane, formaldehyde-free option. Explore the inner workings of cells with the iCell App. Or build a tower with Mosa Mack Science Design Thinking activities. The options for leveraging big-screen interactivity are endless.
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Interactive whiteboards help students of all ages develop critical life skills. The jobs of today and tomorrow demand greater adaptability, problem-solving and critical thinking. To prepare students for career and college readiness they need to be using tech tools. And they need to be using these classroom tech tools in ways that develop these critical skills.
To stay afloat in a competitive world, students need to be able to think critically. They must be able to observe and analyze. To suss out smart solutions to complex dilemmas. They need to be able to answer higher-level questions that require thought and exploration. They need to learn to ask why, what if, and how to think through all sides of an issue.
As discussed above (and below) interactive touch screen displays do all of this and more.
Collaboration skills are critical. Today’s employers expect employees to work in teams and collaborate effectively. The traditional one-to-many lecture format fails to foster these skills. Interactive displays enable constructivist learning. They enable students to work together to make connections and develop knowledge.
By 2030, 30 to 40 percent of jobs will require strong social-emotional skills. Automation is displacing jobs that require repetitive tasks. Today’s students will engage in work that machines can’t do. Like communicating, managing people, and applying expertise. Using touch screen displays with classmates helps students develop social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies. Skills like self-awareness and self-management. Social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
Students in classes that leverage an interactive touch screen display are more engaged. They pay more attention. They’re more positive about learning. Teachers often report that increased attentiveness and engagement are the top benefits of teaching with interactive display technology.
This motivating impact of interactive displays is seen at every level of education. A good deal of research shows the benefits of interactive whiteboards in early childhood education. (Note that many researchers still use the term “interactive whiteboard,” “IW,” or “IWB” for all similar technology.) These benefits include gains in achievement, participation, motivation, and cooperation. Students were also able to engage in exploration and activities for longer periods of time. Focus and attention span during lessons increased.
A recent study compared the results of traditional vs. tech teaching with students ages three to six. One of the three groups each used tablets, interactive touchscreen displays, or paper worksheets to learn and practice concepts. The results revealed that students who used tech were more motivated. They also achieved better results than those who used paper. What’s more, the teachers strongly perceived interactive display learners as being the most motivated of the three groups. Why the difference in enthusiasm between the tablet and interactive display groups? It was likely the collaborative component, the authors concluded1.
The interactive whiteboard allows several students to perform the activities at the same time, and this encouraged them to interact with each other. For instance, they discussed the correct answers… and they willingly helped their partners if they did not know the correct answer. In this way, the benefits of collaborative learning became very noticeable thanks to enhanced interactivity and accessibility….
Primary-age students were similarly more motivated when they used interactive displays. The positive impact of interactive tech was significant. Student learning improved as did the quality of the learning environment. Plus, the interactive displays clearly boosted excitement for the lessons.
Moving up to higher education. The results continue to prove the captivating qualities of interactive displays. A study of first-year students compared classes taught with and without an interactive touch screen display. Those assigned to the “with” class achieved higher levels of “academic press” – the degree to which they cared about academic achievement. The researchers conclude that the difference was a significant positive correlation.
Students need feedback to know when they’re on the right track. Decades of research have shown that less instruction plus more feedback creates greater learning. In fact, it doubles how quickly students learn.
Harvard Physics professor Eric Mazur was one of the first to figure this out. His Intro to Physics students was floundering. Although they were book smart, they were failing at applying this knowledge in other ways. The prof’s peer-instruction model got them back on track. Mazur assigned students problems to ponder, then discuss in small groups.
In this example, Mazur didn’t employ an interactive touch screen. But he easily could have. EdTech provides abundant ways to create effective feedback. Small group discussions get an infusion of creativity when students have technology at their disposal. Be it an iPad, Chromebook or touch screen display. Tech-savvy students will turn to the devices at hand to research, draw, diagram, describe, and defend. During these discussions, students provide one another with continuous feedback on their ideas and understanding.
On this note, not all feedback is created equal. The most effective feedback is timely and consistent. It’s delivered frequently and in proximity to the learning event. Interactive whiteboards can maximize effective feedback. Use them to employ formative feedback apps like Formative, Kahoot and Socrative. Get kids in the game with interactive learning apps like MathPlayground, DuoLingo, and Tiny Cards. Students working at interactive display boards receive immediate responses that tell them how they’re doing. Quick action and repetition allow them to try again. In doing so they receive the consistent, ongoing input critical to turning feedback into learning.
However, if you find your school does not need advanced device management features, there are other great options like myViewBoard Display that allows you to easily present and collaborate without the need for APP download or long pauses in between.
myViewBoard Display is also an easy-to-use web-based solution, where you simply use the one-time password to mirror your screen. No need for additional setups so you can jumpstart your collaborative class activities in an instance.
Interactive touch screen displays can be a boon to keeping classes running smoothly. For one thing, the more engaged students are, the less likely they are to be disruptive. By making lessons more dynamic, students are inherently more captivated by the content. (Who doesn’t like learning with a game, video or lively discussion with onscreen annotation?)
For another, interactive displays enable the use of can’t-be-missed visual aids. Visual timers like Time Timer keep kids on task. They help kids conceptualize, manage and visualize time when taking tests or taking turns. Visual noise level cues make “shushing” more fun and spare the teacher from being the bad guy. Two popular options to try: Bouncy Balls and the Too Noisy app.
Finally, experienced teachers know that developing a cohesive classroom community is half the classroom management battle. (Or more.) The classroom interactive touch screen display provides a central space around which to build that community. Use it to conduct your morning meetings. Even better, let students earn the role of morning moderator at the big screen. Take a break from traditional Star Student posters. Let students create multimedia presentations that express themselves in a dynamic new way. Challenge them to join forces with cooperative gameplay apps.
When schools implement one-to-one learning programs, students can end up spending a lot of time behind a screen. Focused on their own activities. This can be great for differentiated learning. Not so good for maintaining a classroom community. Diverting their focus to the interactive display brings students back to a community mindset. Whether it’s the teacher or a group of students presenting, the display creates a common experience.
The more you use your interactive touch screen display the more it becomes a central gathering point. A visible means of creating common ground among classmates. Collaborative projects, presentations, and gamified learning all do the trick. Or, take a group break from the pressures of the day. Try infusing mindfulness activities from the Calm School Initiative. Your display can even help create a communal atmosphere when students are focused on their iPads or Chromebooks. Use it to display nature scenes or play music from music visualizer.
Interactive whiteboards help teachers offer more learning opportunities to more students. Lessons that bring students to the board let kinesthetic learners get up and move. Videos and multimedia presentations appeal to visual and auditory learners. And for those that learn best by reading? Teachers can capture and save on-screen notes and distribute the files for independent review.
Classroom technology can be a great equalizer for students with special needs. Interactive touch screen displays integrate easily with assistive tech. Like captions, text highlighters and text-to-speech software. Students that have difficulty holding a pen can write on the display with a finger or tennis ball. Early learners can trace letters and shapes. Advanced learners can collaborate with classmates on more complex lessons at the display.
Students with mobility challenges may not be able to participate at a wall-mounted display. It may be difficult to reach due to height or their reach may be blocked. An ADA-compliant lift with robust functionality adds accessibility. Look for height adjustment and multiple tilt angles. Plus the ability to go fully horizontal. More options maximize access for more students.
Students and teachers agree: interactive whiteboards are fun. They captivate, improve attention span and boost student engagement. They can be an outstanding cornerstone for classroom cohesion. They’re also a proven way to help students learn more, learn better, and be better able to apply that learning as they move forward in their lives.
We know that active learning works. A meta-analysis of 225 studies concluded that it reduces failure rates by 55% over passive receipt of information. It also demonstrated the many ways active learning promotes higher-order thinking. The very foundation for the skills most in-demand by employers.
We also know that interactive displays and active learning go hand in hand. That these dynamic and versatile touch screen displays facilitate countless active learning adventures.
Early research demonstrated a 6-point gain when 85 teachers used interactive displays across 170 classrooms. This jumped to 26 points when instructors used graphs, charts, videos, and other visuals to reinforce information. Success skyrocketed to a 31 percent increase under the optimal circumstances. By adding “interactive reinforcers” and audience response polling, student achievement reached the highest levels.3
That was in 2009. Today, teachers can leverage the learning potential of interactive displays to an even greater extent. The displays themselves offer a new level of collaborative and interactive capabilities. Add to this a plethora of advanced interactive learning apps. Plus easy-to-use content-sharing software. And readily available response systems. All support greater learning with virtually any curriculum.
IT departments are big fans of interactive touch screen displays. Compared to traditional interactive whiteboards and projector-based technology, they offer big benefits. Because they’re all-in-one solutions, they’re faster to implement. They require virtually no maintenance. Plus, teachers get up and running with their dynamic displays with minimal training. All of which saves IT time and reduces related costs.
Administrative benefits of interactive whiteboards:
Remote management is a big benefit when it comes to interactive whiteboards. But not all boards have the same remote management systems. Some may require you to download multiple different apps, while others are just plain complicated.
Thankfully, ViewBoards are built-in with the myViewBoard software, a comprehensive learning suite that includes remote management features as well.
MyViewBoard Manager is an easy and safe web-based solution that is so simple, IT managers or even teachers can learn how to use it. The benefit of having a solid device management tool is that you can set up your classroom with different scenarios, or easily assign boards to specific locations in your school.
As teachers gain experience with their interactive touch screen they begin benefiting from the full range of features. IT teams often report that after brief training most teachers are comfortable with the displays. Some display manufacturers offer webinars and onsite training to help educators optimize the use of their classroom display.
Teachers who’ve previously used projector-based systems are often the biggest fans. Compared to these older-style systems, the advantages of touch-screen displays include:
ViewBoard 52 Series, for example, is highlighted for collaborative learning environments thanks to bringing a sense of ease for teachers with:
1 Martin, Estefania, et al. Impact of using interactive devices in Spanish early childhood education public schools, Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, Volume 35, Issue 1. Accessed 5.20.19 at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jcal.12305
2 Hattie, John. Visible Learning Infographic Accessed 5.20.19 at: https://visible-learning.org/2013/02/infographic-john-hattie-visible-learing/
3 Marzano, Robert. Educational Leadership. November 2009, Volume 67. Number 3. The Art and Science of Teaching / Teaching with Interactive Whiteboards. Accessed 5.20.19 at: http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov09/vol67/num03/Teaching-with-Interactive-Whiteboards.aspx
Summative assessment and formative assessment are two valuable tools for teachers. Though very different, they are equally important for holistic education. Summative assessments are delivered at the end of an instructional period. Formative assessments are delivered throughout instruction to check on progress and understanding. Like most things in education, both are also assisted with the effective application of technology. Read on for how to best use summative assessment and formative assessment in your teaching.
The main components of being an educator are preparation, teaching, and assessment. Today we will dive deeper into the discussion of educational assessment. According to Edutopia.org, educational assessment is an integral part of instruction and the learning process. For this comparison, we will look at educational assessment under two categories: summative and formative. Each has its part to play in holistically analyzing students’ learning outcomes.
A summative assessment is an evaluation at the end. How can we fairly tell if a group of students has met the standards set by the teacher, school’s governing board, and the government? Traditionally, the answer lays in giving the students a test or assessment after the instructional period has been completed.
Summative assessments are typically done at the end of a project, unit, course, semester, program, or school year. In a sentence: Summative assessment is to evaluate students’ learning after completion of an instructional unit by comparing it against a set standard or benchmark.
For example, a teacher shows a group of students a few math concepts, examples and practice are given, and the teacher feels like the students have a good understanding of the concepts covered.
To assess if the students were truly successful in achieving the learning objectives, a test is given at the end of the term. If the students were successful, the results would be on par with the majority of the class and the standards set forth. If unsuccessful, the students’ results would be comparably lower and below the standards. Adjustments then can be made to best fit their needs for the future.
Formative assessments are evaluations as you go. The teacher uses a variety of methods to conduct evaluations of students’ comprehension, learning, and progress during the course of instruction. This is usually done while the lesson is being taught and continues until it is concluded. In other words, formative assessments evaluate students’ learning as they are learning.
For example, a teacher explains a few science facts to the class. To test their understanding of the facts they are given a pop quiz at the end of the lesson. The students are assessed if they have enough understanding of the learning objectives before the class moves on.
If the students are successful the results would show they have a good grasp of the materials. If unsuccessful the results would be lacking. Adjustments then can be made to best fit the students’ needs before moving on to the next lesson such as additional reviews, more practices, and teaching adjustments.
Summative assessment as the best way to evaluate students’ educational achievements is up for much debate. Many argue that summative assessments are outdated in a society where we see each student as individuals and should not be subjected to overarching educational benchmarks. Pitting students against each other creates an environment of competitiveness and pushes for conformity.
In addition, a more extreme focus on summative assessments brings with it many drawbacks. If teachers are prescribed a set amount of knowledge and time each student should receive for a specific learning objective to be achieved teaching and learning become mechanical. This can be clearly seen in the emphasis on standardized tests such as the SATs as the aggregation of a student’s success at school. Students tend then to study to pass a test not in accumulating knowledge. Teachers are then also graded on their teaching success base on test scores, not their teaching efforts.
On the other side of the table, supporters argue summative assessment has its benefits. Foremost, it is the most efficient as it gives the teacher’s a method to access learning outcomes as a group. The main bulk of the evaluation process is left till the end and done altogether. This results in grades being produced more efficiently. All students are graded with the same benchmarks so their less discrimination and discourages favoritism of individuals. The results of the assessments also can be reported, compared and reproduced with other classes easily.
As for supporters of formative assessments, they argue that the main goal of teaching is to make sure students have an understanding of the concepts. By continually analyzing students’ needs the teacher has a very clear picture of their progress. Teachers can also make small adjustments to adapt to the current needs of students to ensure understanding. Not only this, the students themselves are given more practice in applying the concepts and given timely feedback.
Foremost for proponents of Formative assessment is the amount of time and effort to continually conduct periodic assessments. Formative assessments are given a few times during the instructional period such as by day, week or month. This adds to both the teacher’s and students’ workload. Class time is taken to both conduct Formative assessments and review the results which draw time from covering additional learning objectives.
There are many pros and cons to both summative assessment and formative assessments, and for most teachers, it is a balancing act of doing both. Formative assessment is used periodically to see where students are at in their learning process, give them practice in applying the concepts, and prepare them for the summative assessments. Summative assessments are then used to measure the cumulative results of the instructional period and produce results that can be reported for students to advance.
Both types of assessments support one another and play a vital part in holistic educational assessment. To be a well-rounded educator it is important to use both these tools in combination effectively. For example, using pop-quizzes (formative assessment) after each major lesson to see which students are struggling with the materials. Continue this, mixing in homework, small presentations, and practice tests.
At the end of the term, students should be well-prepared for a final test (summative assessment) to evaluate their learning achievements. For the final grading, make sure to give weight to both types of assessments and reward students for their accumulated hard work and final assessment.
Technology is changing many aspects of education including assessment. For example the digitalization of course content. Classroom materials are moving from text to digital which offers more options, such as additional content, searchability, video, images, and sharing.
Teachers then can upload these materials on to classroom management software such as Google Classroom where it can be easily accessed by themselves and their students. Many teachers are also digitizing their homework and other course work where students can work on it individually or as a group using online tools such as chat and online forums.
Another example of digitalization is the digital whiteboards, such as ViewSonic’s myViewBoard, which are great aids in the classroom as it provides more opportunities for teachers and students to interact in more ways. By using Digital whiteboards, both teachers and students are free to draw, open ebooks, and conduct video lessons. Digital whiteboards can also be connected to the students’ personal computers and tablets to further aid in the sharing of ideas.
Both summative and formative assessments likewise are being enhanced by advances in technology. Formative assessments such as homework and quizzes can be digitized, managed, given, and graded all on the Internet-connected devices. On a larger scale, summative assessment software, such as Easy LMS, is already used for many standardized tests. Assessment software can automatically scramble questions, select questions that suit individual students’ abilities, and collect test results. Assessment software offers many digital tools to aid in creating, selecting, administering, grading, and sharing results of assessments.
We have learned that both summative assessment and formative assessment are important components of instruction and the learning process. The next time you are planning a course curriculum try integrating more formative assessments at key points in the instruction time. Also, pay attention to the importance of summative assessments without letting it be the driving factor of evaluating learning objectives. Use assessments as a tool to better your students’ learning.
The SAMR model is an effective description – and guide – for the implementation of EdTech in modern education. The acronym stands for Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. Each describes ways that technology can either enhance or transform the learning process. And the model is remarkably good at showing how interactive digital whiteboards can be integrated into education.Read on for more on the SAMR model along with examples of how it could apply to you.
Let us take a look at the SAMR Model and how it applies to interactive whiteboards as an EdTech.
The SAMR Model for categorizing technology integration in education was created by Dr. Ruben Puentedura. He is President of Hippasus, an educational consulting firm with expertise in technology, pedagogy, and administration. SAMR is an acronym standing for Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. These four groupings provide an outline on how to cluster different ways to implement and integrate technology in education. Substitution and Augmentation are considered ‘Enhancement’ levels, while Modification and Redefinition are grouped together as ‘Transformation’ levels.
Broadly put these categories can be described as follows.
Substitution: The technology acts as a direct tool substitute, with no functional change to the teaching task. For example, using a tablet for class notes instead of pen and paper. The function of both tools stays the same.
Augmentation: The technology acts as a direct tool substitute with functional improvement to the teaching task. For example, allowing students to use a computer to search for scholarly articles to write their reports instead of manual text-based library searches. Here the function of the technology enhances the tool used to educate in both terms of speed and number of results possible.
Modification: The technology allows for significant educational task redesign. At this level of implementing technology in education, the technology will allow for changes to the design of the educational experience and learning outcome. For example, the use of Internet communication applications allows for distance learning which a big jump from recorded video lessons. This new technology offers many new capabilities such as real-time interaction and feedback that the teacher can redevelop their lessons around.
Redefinition: The technology allows for the creation of new tasks, previously inconceivable. At this level of technology application, the educational experience is transformed. The technological tool allows the teacher to redefine the learning objectives creating a new educational experience. For example, the use of VR allows for an immersive experience for students to not only read about the subject matter in textbooks or watch a video but to visualize the subject in virtual reality. Students then can describe their experience in many more dimensions than previously. This application of VR technology could be described as a re-imagination of the teaching task and outcomes achievable.
The SAMR Model is useful as a scale of how technology affects and influences education.
On one end, the Enhancement levels only improve on the current standards and methods of teaching. These types of EdTech implementation are normally easier to accept and incorporate into current lessons and teaching styles. The changes are gradual and do not require much re-training as they are only meant to enrich the learning experience.
On the other side of the spectrum are the Transformation levels, where the EdTech makes a much larger impact on the aspect of education it is modifying or even replacing. Here the teaching task needs to be redesigned, reconfigured, or redefined. The results could be something that is very different from the original.
For example, let’s take the example of digital textbooks on tablets. By applying Modification, the teacher can incorporate many new and different functions into their lesson plans such as embedded video and voice, click to reveal additional materials, and instant internet access from links in the e-books. These functions give the teacher much more options and flexibility to enhance the lesson plan compared to traditional textbooks.
With educational goals in mind, the SAMR Model can help determine if the technology is enhancing or transforming the learning. It is a tool to measure the effectiveness of the technology and gives the teacher a guide of how they want to implement the tools they are given. Some would want only to use technology to help them in their teaching tasks while others will choose to replace traditional teaching methods with technological-base ones.
A very popular EdTech being currently rolled out across many schools and universities are the implementation of interactive digital whiteboards. Here the different functionalities and features of an interactive digital whiteboard can be applied to the SAMR model at different levels.
Each one of these features of an interactive digital whiteboard can be implemented in different ways and levels. By using the SAMR Model, the teacher can categorize how deep and involved they want to go in implementing the technology into their classroom learning environments.
We can now see that the SAMR Model is not a model to guide the implementation of educational technology or even a measurement of how effective the technology is once applied. The SAMR Model is only a method of categorizing technology implementation in education. Some technology can be placed in many categories; it is up to the teacher to decide how they want to implement the use of technology in their own classroom. Moreover, as an illustration, we used interactive digital whiteboards as an example that could span all four levels under the SAMR Model. To learn more about educational interactive digital whiteboards and their benefits in the classroom click here.
Gamification in education has been around for quite some time. Adding game elements to learning tasks makes them more fun and engaging for students of all ages. But you might be surprised to learn how easy it is to gamify the learning process, making lessons more fun for students and teachers alike. It can be as simple as adding scoring, competitive elements, or a little bit of EdTech.Here are 6 easy tips to gamify your classroom and improve student outcomes. Or learn more about EdTech here.
Can education be fun? The gamification of education is taking schoolwork and turning it into entertainment.
Take a moment to think about your experiences in education, either as a student or as a teacher. Chances are high that the lessons that still stand out are the ones that were most engaging.
Not only is that understandable, but educational content creators want to harness that thought, merge it with modern EdTech, and apply it to curriculums everywhere.
Long story short, that’s how gamification in education came to be. Therein, the teacher uses interactive boards like ViewBoard, and other tools to disguise lessons as games that students will be eager to engage in.
Knowing this, does gamification in education sound like it might be of interest to you and your daily life?
If so, we are here to help. Below, we have laid out 6 ways to gamify your classroom, which will take full advantage of the possibilities that gamification in education possesses.
Taking a step back, gamification refers to the application of gaming components to other aspects of life. Imagine, for instance, the use of the point-based victories found in game shows to encourage teamwork in the workplace. When it comes to gamification in education, however, the ultimate goal is to engender greater student engagement with the lesson material.
When properly implemented, strategies associated with gamification in education may yield incredible benefits. Cognitive development, student engagement, accessibility, homework completion, classroom enjoyment, and teaching feedback times all can experience significant boosts. That said, these possibilities would remain just that unless the basic success factors are met, which include:
In order to take proper advantage of all that gamification in education has to offer, you should consider doing so in the ways that have been proven effective. From the introduction of in-class collectibles to point-based rewards and competitive participation, there are plenty of options for you to consider. With that in mind, 6 of those ways have been elaborated upon below.
In the Pokemon series, players collect gym badges in order to advance through the game. In Assassin’s Creed, the gameplay has evolved over the years to become a massive hunt for collectibles. The fact here is that collectibles are intrinsic to the nature of modern games. The same can be found in real life, where Boy Scouts spend their time acquiring merit badges for the sake of learning and advancement.
When it comes to gamification in education, this concept is applied to the classroom. For example, when a student masters the use of Microsoft word, they may receive a badge. Conversely, these badges may reflect long-term achievement, such as when a student receives their 10th perfect score on a quiz. Oftentimes, these collectibles are tracked by way of programs built into class’ interactive technology.
When you were a child, or even as an adult, would you rather do things for their own sake or because you can have something later as a result? We’re going to assume that you selected the latter option. The point is that incentivization is a powerful motivator and can be found in all aspects of life, particularly in gaming. When players of Ubisoft-published games perform or complete certain actions, for instance, they receive points, which can be redeemed via the Uplay app.
When it comes to gamification in education, think about everything that must be done in the classroom – take notes, get good grades, stay quiet, do your homework, and so on. In that regard, consider applying a point-value to each performed task. If a student gets an A, then they get 5 points. If they turn in their homework on time, then another 3 points go their way. Once students acquire enough points, they can then use them to earn certain privileges, as set by the teacher. For instance, 30 points may allow them to skip one assignment, while 50 points will let them eat a snack during class.
Like it or hate it, grading is key to evaluation and the overall education experience. The real difference comes in how teachers approach the valuation of assignments and overall score accumulation. Before delving into that, let’s back up for a moment. A few decades back, the centerpiece of any game in any arcade was its high score list. For example, if you ate enough dots, ghosts, and fruit in Pac-Man, and kept your deaths to a minimum, chances are good that you accumulated enough points to place on the coveted list.
Returning to gamification in education, those teachers applying its strategies should think of Pac-Man when devising their grading structures. Therein, instead of focusing grades on the loss of points, focus it on the accumulation. In that vein, if a student receives an 8 out of 10 on a quiz, consider giving them a +8 instead of a -2. When it comes down to it, this method allows students to watch their final grade grow as the semester progresses, as opposed to watching it slowly decline.
We get it, no student likes doing homework. After all, schoolwork is for school and video games are for the home. However, considering that gamification in education makes everything seem like a video game, should not that reduce students’ resistance to homework? The answer, thanks to EdTech, is a resounding, “yes”!
For better or for worse, there is not enough time for teachers to cover everything they want to in class. Moreover, teachers often struggle with motivating their students to complete their assignments. When it comes down to it, they need to want to do their homework, or else the pursuit may be fruitless. With gamification and interactive technology, students are exposed to a new, fun learning style that they may also want to experience and continue at home.
Imagine the rush you feel when you outdo your friends, family, or another peer group. The rush that comes from competition, and subsequent victory, can be incredible. That is why, from Tekken to Super Smash Bros, gaming competitions have been popular from the start of the industry.
In the analog classroom, certain less-than-motivated students may ask themselves, “what’s the point?’. That is where gamification in education comes in. Just like incentivization, competition and the prospect of victory have proven to be excellent catalysts for improved student engagement and participation. If a class needs to review for an upcoming test, for instance, then a team-based version of Jeopardy should yield desirable results.
At its core, gamification in education, or in any other setting, is nothing without the games that make it up. Whether it is Jeopardy for competition, a point-and-click adventure for homework, or whatever, the point is that gamification should make the classroom a more fun place to be.
That is why games are so integral to the gamification process. Just because gaining aspects are integrated into classroom management does not mean that it will automatically be fun. No matter what, consideration still needs to be paid toward the implementation of each activity and process. That is why discovering ways to implement gamification in education can of such utility.
Getting Started in Turning Lessons to Games
Try out a few ideas illustrated above to help your students get motivated in the subject matters. Get them up and participating in the lesson. Challenge their minds with a little competition. That is what gamification is all about in education.
Check out more about education and EdTech at ViewSonic here.