27 April 2011
MUSCAT -- Promethean, global education company committed to supporting teaching and learning unveiled its latest version of an interactive whiteboard -- ActivBoard 500 Pro-series that facilitates the use of an innovative and emerging multi-touch functionality, at Comex that is in progress until 29 April.
The technology, which is being introduced in the Middle Eastern countries at the Comex 2011 is the most advanced technology that enables the board to be operated simultaneously by using both the pen and 'gesture' touch.
The technology can be used for educational purposes, video conferencing and as a home theatre, said Majeed Sharaf, Vice Head, Middle East, Promethean Limited.
"This multi-touch technology can motivate even the least active students to be more interactive by using the social learning tool as a means of education. On record, Oman was the first country in the Middle Eastern countries to adopt this kind of interactive mode of teaching", stated the official.
The Sultanate's Ministry of Education (MoE) was also the first to introduce and implement this technology in the secondary and intermediate schools. The company also provided training sessions for teachers and also conducted an interactive contest for them then to participate in the company's 'Promethean Planet' programme, said Majeed.
This scheme of technology, which already has an inbuilt programmes of education also gives solutions and enables the client to develop their own curriculum using a software program.
The concept has also been adopted by some private schools and the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). For instance, at the SQU, the technology has enabled the university to adopt a programme for Training of Trainers (ToT), which is specifically targeted for the training of teachers, he said.
The ActivBoard 500 will also enable the use of new and emerging multi-touch functionality similar to that used in Apple and Microsoft (Windows 7) applications. This flexibility allows teachers to reach students in a variety of ways or modes, supporting a wider range of learning types. Users will have the ability to easily move and scale objects with finger-touch using natural hand movements, in conjunction with the precision of the "pen" for tasks such as writing or drawing. This offers a more intuitive and efficient way of performing tasks and allows for more collaborative classroom activities.
"Technology in education is important. Students need tools to be compatible to the modern student's multimedia way of life.
The ActivBoard 500 combined with Arabic Planet, Promethean's fully Arabized online community for teachers, provides advanced learning outcomes for the children in the Middle East," he added.
Jean-Yves Charlier, Chief Executive Officer at Promethean, remarked that: "The ActivBoard 500 represents the most significant advance in interactive whiteboard technology since it was first introduced in schools.
The intuitive pen and touch capabilities deliver engaging and collaborative teaching and learning opportunities, for both teachers and students.
"Expectations and usability of technology have changed with developments in consumer electronics, and with it a new set of actions has emerged -- the tap of a screen has replaced the click of a button.
"These digital behaviours are now second nature to most technology users and can now be used in the classroom to operate our new generation of interactive whiteboards. Feedback from pilot schools has confirmed that we have created a 'best of breed' solution that offers a collaborative, immersive, and inclusive digital experience."
The ActivBoard 500 Pro also includes two free multi-touch applications for mind mapping and lesson planning: NoteBoard and TouchPad.
These applications allow teachers to aggregate ideas, collate learning points and use interactive 'post-it' notes to promote simple, easy-to-use mind-mapping activities.
Supporting the ActivBoard 500 is ActivInspire 1.5, Promethean's award-winning software, available for download via PrometheanPlanet.com/ActivInspire.
MUSCAT -- Promethean, global education company committed to supporting teaching and learning unveiled its latest version of an interactive whiteboard -- ActivBoard 500 Pro-series that facilitates the use of an innovative and emerging multi-touch functionality, at Comex that is in progress until 29 April.
The technology, which is being introduced in the Middle Eastern countries at the Comex 2011 is the most advanced technology that enables the board to be operated simultaneously by using both the pen and 'gesture' touch.
The technology can be used for educational purposes, video conferencing and as a home theatre, said Majeed Sharaf, Vice Head, Middle East, Promethean Limited.
"This multi-touch technology can motivate even the least active students to be more interactive by using the social learning tool as a means of education. On record, Oman was the first country in the Middle Eastern countries to adopt this kind of interactive mode of teaching", stated the official.
The Sultanate's Ministry of Education (MoE) was also the first to introduce and implement this technology in the secondary and intermediate schools. The company also provided training sessions for teachers and also conducted an interactive contest for them then to participate in the company's 'Promethean Planet' programme, said Majeed.
This scheme of technology, which already has an inbuilt programmes of education also gives solutions and enables the client to develop their own curriculum using a software program.
The concept has also been adopted by some private schools and the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). For instance, at the SQU, the technology has enabled the university to adopt a programme for Training of Trainers (ToT), which is specifically targeted for the training of teachers, he said.
The ActivBoard 500 will also enable the use of new and emerging multi-touch functionality similar to that used in Apple and Microsoft (Windows 7) applications. This flexibility allows teachers to reach students in a variety of ways or modes, supporting a wider range of learning types. Users will have the ability to easily move and scale objects with finger-touch using natural hand movements, in conjunction with the precision of the "pen" for tasks such as writing or drawing. This offers a more intuitive and efficient way of performing tasks and allows for more collaborative classroom activities.
"Technology in education is important. Students need tools to be compatible to the modern student's multimedia way of life.
The ActivBoard 500 combined with Arabic Planet, Promethean's fully Arabized online community for teachers, provides advanced learning outcomes for the children in the Middle East," he added.
Jean-Yves Charlier, Chief Executive Officer at Promethean, remarked that: "The ActivBoard 500 represents the most significant advance in interactive whiteboard technology since it was first introduced in schools.
The intuitive pen and touch capabilities deliver engaging and collaborative teaching and learning opportunities, for both teachers and students.
"Expectations and usability of technology have changed with developments in consumer electronics, and with it a new set of actions has emerged -- the tap of a screen has replaced the click of a button.
"These digital behaviours are now second nature to most technology users and can now be used in the classroom to operate our new generation of interactive whiteboards. Feedback from pilot schools has confirmed that we have created a 'best of breed' solution that offers a collaborative, immersive, and inclusive digital experience."
The ActivBoard 500 Pro also includes two free multi-touch applications for mind mapping and lesson planning: NoteBoard and TouchPad.
These applications allow teachers to aggregate ideas, collate learning points and use interactive 'post-it' notes to promote simple, easy-to-use mind-mapping activities.
Supporting the ActivBoard 500 is ActivInspire 1.5, Promethean's award-winning software, available for download via PrometheanPlanet.com/ActivInspire.
© Oman Daily Observer 2011
