District sets standard for tech rich spaces

The Zachary School Board has set a high standard when it comes to technology-rich learning spaces. Cutting-edge multimedia classrooms equipped with ceiling mounted digital projectors and Hitachi StarBoard® T-17SXL EM Panels are becoming the norm. These multimedia teaching devices are compact, ergonomic and pen-driven with a 17-inch LCD display. Think overhead projector meets the Jetsons. The model mirrors the interactive classroom set up common in the higher education setting. Teachers drive presentation and classroom lectures from the device with the ability to write, draw, and control any of the applications on the teacher station computer. This allows the students to easily view the information on the 10 foot retractable screens installed in the front of each classroom. Replacing an older model involving televisions, the new standard takes advantage of digital projectors and a large screen to permit increased visibility throughout the classroom. All new construction in the districts is being built based on this model and existing spaces have been retrofitted to include the new technology.

Educators from the Zachary School District toured various other schools around the region as a part of their research into the best interactive presentation solution. After seeing the Hitachi Software StarBoard T-Series panels in action at an Atlanta school, the answer became clear.

The installation began with high school math classes and has now been adopted throughout the district. We are now around 180 total panels throughout the district; most of those being the T-17SXL model, and our teachers continue to be impressed with the overall increase in student participation and enthusiasm. From kindergarten to Calculus, students in the Zachary Community School District are provided with a technology-rich environment not limited to a computer lab.

Joe Rush of MIS Technology in Baton Rouge handled the product introduction and transition for the school district. “We’ve installed a complete interactive presentation solution in the classrooms in Zachary with the standard setup being a Hitachi Software StarBoard T-17SXL panel, a Hitachi CP-X260 ceiling mounted LCD projector and a 120-inch screen, creating a visually stimulating and interactive environment for the students,” said Rush.

“Every student is engaged in the technology,” said Rush. “Teachers are actively letting students operate the T-Series panels and the students are excited to “play with the toy,” which is key in a society where kids are surrounded by other interactive electronic technologies such as cell phones, video games and MP3 players.”

For more information or to arrange a tour, contact Adonica Duggan.