Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart is a private Catholic college preparatory school for girls pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Duchesne has built a reputation as one of Houston's most progressive independent schools, largely through its innovative laptop computer program and well-articulated educational goals. A strong proponent of technology as a key enabler of education, Duchesne was the first school in Houston and the second in Texas to install a campus-wide 802.11 wireless network, and the school wanted to install projectors in all Duchesne classrooms.

The Challenge
Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart is a private Catholic college preparatory school for girls pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Duchesne has built a reputation as one of Houston's most progressive independent schools, largely through its innovative laptop computer program and well-articulated educational goals. A strong proponent of technology as a key enabler of education, Duchesne was the first school in Houston and the second in Texas to install a campuswide 802.11 wireless network, and the school wanted to install projectors in all Duchesne classrooms.

"As a wireless school since 1998, we have struggled with two things: finding affordable projection devices to increase image size so that text can be read from across the room with the lights on, and enabling students to share work on their laptops for activities such as peer editing and presentations," explained Janet Thorson, Duchesne's Director of Technology.

Duchesne had 32" monitors in the classrooms and five shared projectors on A/V carts. The monitors were too small and teachers found the handful of rolling projectors too cumbersome and inconvenient for making the technology an integral part of the education process. Duchesne needed a projection solution that was bright, affordable, easy to use and maintain, and compatible with the school's 802.11b wireless network.

The Solution
Duchesne evaluated a number of solutions before deciding on NEC's LT260 projectors, which were installed in 35 classrooms. The affordable, portable and bright projector is designed specifically for use with high-resolution computers and for displaying detailed, graphics-rich information. Duchesne also installed a high performance NEC MT1060 projector in a small theater, which features a rotating wall for seating flexibility: spun one way, the wall moves to add more seating to the main theater; spun back, it creates classroom space!

NEC's projectors are compliant with the 802.11 wireless standard, and were chosen due to its Dynamic Image Utility which allows the helpdesk to monitor the status and troubleshoot all of the projectors on the system from one single location.

Duchesne evaluated a number of solutions before deciding on NEC's LT260 projectors, which were installed in 35 classrooms. The affordable, portable and bright projectors are designed specifically for use with high-resolution computers and for displaying detailed, graphics-rich information. Duchesne also installed a high performance NEC MT1060 projector in a small theater, which features a rotating wall for seating flexibility: spun one way, the wall moves to add more seating to the main theater; spun back, it creates classroom space!

NEC's projectors are compliant with the 802.11 wireless standard, and were chosen due to its Dynamic Image Utility which allows the helpdesk to monitor the status and troubleshoot all of the projectors on the system from one single location.

For more detailed specifications and connections, check out our NEC MT1060 projector page.