The Pondering Pixel

A close-up wide angled but abridged look at projectors and other classroom technology, product reviews and releases, tradeshows, debates and conspiracy theories as well as humble observations on schools and screens.

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All current discussions around classroom technology (interactive projectors, whiteboards, iPads, smartphones, clickers, document cameras, 3D projectors, electronic textbooks etc.) must at least touch on the future of the keyboard more specifically, keyboarding as part of high school and community college curricula nationwide.more

Epson has developed more than 30 “BrightLink Bright Spots” training videos to help teachers and technology trainers get to know intimately all the capabilities of EPSON® BrightLink ultra-short throw and short throw interactive projectors. The videos are free and accessed here. Some of the topics covered are connecting computers and document cameras as well as how to implement software like Easy Interactive Tools or the iProjection app.more

One of the highlights of my CES experience last month was a visit to the InFocus suite. There I got a sneak peek at products that reaffirmed my belief in this Northwest pioneer of the industry. Of specific interest on this visit, however, was not a projector but the Mondopad. As my regular readers will attest to, I’ve been ranting about the superfluous nature of pricey interactive whiteboards for a couple of years now—ever since Epson released its first interactive projector. The Mondopad takes that rant to new heights as it puts a lot of other classroom technology tools in the hot seat and positions itself to be the new brain center of any wired classroom replacing white boards, PCs, touch panels, cameras, and video conferencing unitsmore

I am thrilled at all the chatter surrounding the so called “flipped” classroom. It is not a new concept. It was pioneered by two very forward thinking teachers in a rural school and actually predates YouTube and online video. However, it was highlighted at the recent ITSE Conference and new discussions have emerged in blogs and forums.more

Identifying trends enables foresight. Sometimes those trends appear in obscure places and people don’t make the connection. For example, in education circles, what’s to be learned by looking at the kind of classroom furniture being manufactured these days? I think it is something significant. Perhaps it is best to first consider that US colleges and universities,the ultimate destination of many of many K-12 students, are now seeking to "host the discussion" rather than simply house the genius. In other words, they want to be the facilitators of innovation. It takes student collaboration to achieve this.The ability to work successfully in groups is a 21st Century skill and is not innate simply because we're human.more

Samsung Techwin seems to be big on contests and I think it's a good thing--especially when it gives kids a chance to showcase not only their video making talents but their creative and academic prowess as well. Students are to portray their favorite historical character on video. All entries will be posted on the company's website and each week they will post one of the best videos on Facebook.Each student who wins gets $500 and their class receives a SAMCAM 860 document camera.more

I sat next to a teenage boy on my Seattle ferry ride yesterday who composed rap lyrics on his cell phone. Looking over his shoulder out of the corner of my eye I could almost hear the beat as I marveled at his need to create and share instantly with his friends. For the remainder of the ride he received multiple text messages from those friends--affirmations for the most part. Friends are like that.more

I think we at Projector Central need to learn to toot our horn a bit better. I was talking with someone who makes a living selling projection systems and was shocked to learn that he had no idea about our "Feature Search" tool. When I showed it to him, he rolled his eyes and lamented the number of weeks he’d spent working on a project comparing projectors that could have been handled with a few clicks on our site.more

I am predicting that interactive whiteboard company executives the world over are sweating profusely right about now. When you read Marc Davidson's review of the new 3M "Simply Interactive" projector module, you'll begin to understand why.more

As much as I love the world of projection technology, I do have another life. By night that I am a rabid conspiracy theorist with an insatiable appetite for news, clues, and connecting the dots. I fought to keep my lust for intrigue at bay and to not overreact yesterday as I posted this press release from NAD—the advertising division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. In it they discuss certain untrue and some only partially true advertising claims made by SMART Technologies, the makers of the SMART Board Interactive whiteboard and projector system.more