Epson’s New LCD Projectors Offer Increased Brightness, Versatility for the Classroom

January 17, 2011 2 Comments read AV in the Classroom, AV Product News, AVI-SPL

Epson recently announced the addition of four new LCD projectors in their PowerLite lineup: the PowerLite 92, 93, 95, and 96W. Touted advantages of these 3 chip-LCD projectors include a more robust built-in speaker, better brightness for your content and HDMI connectivity. This offering replaces several of Epson’s current 8x series models, including the current PowerLite 83V+, 83+, 84+, 85+ and 826W+ projectors. This latest line will be available for shipping in March.

So just what can educators expect with these newer, classroom-friendly projectors?

1.2x optical zoom for increased clarity and quality over content
16 watt speakers with the integrated HDMI standard for boosted performance
Pre-designed screen patterns, such as a “graph paper” pattern (with support for customized background images)
A built-in closed captioning decoder for educators working with hearing-impaired students
Wired LAN connectivity; virtual remote for projector management (93, 95 and 96W models)
IP network connectivity for distributing content (95 and 96W models)
An optional wireless module (95 and 96W models)

Want more info?

These are just a few of the exciting features that can be found with Epson’s newest offering. For more information, please contact an AVI-SPL sales rep at 866.599.8197, or simply request more info by clicking here.

SMART Notebook Tip – Handwriting Recognition Language

January 17, 2011 1 Comment read AV in the Classroom, AVI-SPL, Smart Technologies

SMART Notebook (included with SMART Response and SMART Classroom Suite) supports handwriting recognition in English by default. If you want to use handwriting recognition in a language that isn’t listed under Handwriting Recognition in the Language Setup window, you must update handwriting recognition with additional languages.

To install a handwriting recognition language in SMART Notebook:

Select View > Language Setup. The Language Setup window appears.
Click Update Handwriting. The Handwriting Recognition Update window appears.
Click Check for updates.
Select the language you want to install from the list, and then click Install. The Language Installation dialog box appears, indicating that the update succeeded.
Click OK.
Click Close to close the Handwriting Recognition Update window.
Click OK.

Have Questions?

If you have any questions about what you just read, feel free to reach out to us! An AVI-SPL representative can be reached by calling 866.559.8197.

Wise up with AVI-SPL’s Latest Education Technology Solutions at FETC 2011

January 17, 2011 2 Comments read AV in the Classroom, AVI-SPL, Smart Technologies

FETC 2011 logo How do you ensure students are learning in the most interactive and dynamic classroom possible? By integrating functional classroom technology that livens up the lesson plan and effectively train teachers so they’re getting the maximum benefits from their technology. That’s why AVI-SPL is heading to FETC 2011 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., this Feb. 1-3, where they’ll demonstrate professional development courses in addition to illustrating the benefits of incorporating video production into the classroom.

“We want our teachers to learn as much as possible when it comes to technology’s versatility in the classroom, and to use this knowledge to help improve their interactions, as well as student engagement,” says Robert Moss, vice president of education sales, AVI-SPL. “Professional development training is a critical step in the right direction, one that can benefit not only teachers, but their students as well.”

Beginning Tuesday evening Feb. 1, AVI-SPL will host 30-minute Professional Development presentations at booth # 1413 at FETC throughout the 3-day show. For a complete schedule, see below.

AVI-SPL’s training and professional development classes, ranging from 30 minutes to full day courses, are taught by SMART-certified trainers. Training Courses include SMART Notebook Basics, SMART Table Basics and SMART Grade Level Specific Notebook Advanced, among others. Because learning doesn’t stop when class is over, registered participants gain access to an online database library of supporting training materials. They also receive a video of their training session for future reference.

Additionally, AVI-SPL’s booth will host presentations on the benefits of incorporating video production into the classroom. According to research, people tend to retain 70-90 percent of what we see, hear and do, so what better way to get students learning more than with the hands-on experience of producing a video. Led by Sony, the presentations will show how K-12 educators can bring video production into the learning environment whether it’s video book reports, video yearbooks or school TV news programs.

The Integrating Video Production into the Classroom presentations will also begin Tuesday evening on Feb. 1. Refer to the below list for the complete schedule.

In addition, AVI-SPL will be giving away several prizes at the show including:

A complete interactive classroom of the future featuring a SMART Board 680 with stand, a slate, response, document camera, Balt® ReFlex™ chairs, Balt presentation cart and a Chief® CoPilot™
A Copernicus i-Rover
An InFocus Interactive Projector
Flip™ Cams

To learn how to be eligible to win, be sure to visit AVI-SPL’s booth (#1413) at the show.

Presentation Schedule

Tuesday, February 1
Show hours: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m. Professional Development, AVI-SPL
6:15 p.m. Integrating Video Production into Curriculum and Classroom Activities, Sony

Wednesday, February 2
Show hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

9:30 a.m. Professional Development, AVI-SPL
10:15 a.m. Integrating Video Production into Curriculum and Classroom Activities, Sony

11:00 a.m. Professional Development, AVI-SPL
11:45 a.m. Integrating Video Production into Curriculum and Classroom Activities, Sony

12:30 p.m. Professional Development, AVI-SPL
1:15 p.m. Integrating Video Production into Curriculum and Classroom Activities, Sony

2:00 p.m. Professional Development, AVI-SPL
2:45 p.m. Integrating Video Production into Curriculum and Classroom Activities, Sony

3:30 p.m. Professional Development, AVI-SPL
4:15 p.m. Integrating Video Production into Curriculum and Classroom Activities, Sony

Thursday, February 3
Show hours: 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

9:30 a.m. Professional Development, AVI-SPL
10:15 a.m. Integrating Video Production into Curriculum and Classroom Activities, Sony

11:00 a.m. Professional Development, AVI-SPL
11:45 a.m. Integrating Video Production into Curriculum and Classroom Activities, Sony

12:30 p.m. Professional Development, AVI-SPL
1:15 p.m. Integrating Video Production into Curriculum and Classroom Activities, Sony

Michigan School District Improves Student Engagement with SMART Boards, Elmo Document Cameras

January 14, 2011 0 Comment read AV in the Classroom, AVI-SPL, Featured Case Studies / Projects, Smart Technologies

Superintendent Steve Edwards, along with several teachers at Reeths-Puffer school district have noticed a world of difference since SMART boards and Elmo document cameras were introduced into their curriculum, courtesy of AV leader AVI-SPL. From better manageability to increased attention from their students, discover the latest advances in classroom technology.

Says high school teacher Matt Kemp:

As an English teacher, you have different ways to actively engage the varied learning styles you have in your classroom. For the person that is more of a tactile learner, they can actually go up there, and watch and move things on the [interactive whiteboard] screen to adjust it to the way they can best understand.

Says elementary teacher Kelly Griswold:

[The kids] would love what they call the ‘book movie,’ where I put the book under the Elmo [document camera] and read it to them. It just has excited them. They love to go up and do SMART board lessons, and touch the screen, and it most definitely has made a huge impact.

To see this technology in action, and also hear more from the educators, play the video below!