Operating on a three-year cycle of technology, Southmead’s senior team recognised the need to replace the existing interactive projectors for a new way of displaying learning resources at the front of classrooms.

At the top of the wish list, the school was keen to have clearer high-definition screens that they could link to their laptops and iPads. The team wanted to move away from interactive projectors and whiteboards due to the need for ongoing maintenance and the associated cost, while also avoiding the potential for lights shining in the eyes of teachers.

After some market research and recommendations from various sources, the school purchased and installed two of Optoma’s Creative Touch 3-Series Interactive Flat Panel Displays (IFPD), with the plan to roll out further displays across throughout the school. While the team were happy with the screens, noting the stunning clarity and excellent reliability, the teachers realised that they would need some form of training to make the most of using the displays.

Optoma offer comprehensive training to all educational institutions with the purchase off an Optoma interactive flat panel display. With this in mind, the school purchased another display and arranged for Optoma’s technical specialist to visit and hold a training session with the teachers, showing them how to use the various features on the display and answering any questions they had. As a result, the teachers are more comfortable with the technology and enjoying using all of the different features.

Since the installation, the school reported positive results and plan to roll out further screens to the remaining classrooms.

Teachers are now able to wirelessly share content from their iPads allowing them to teach from different areas of the classroom. This feature is a fantastic way of sharing and demonstrating children’s different approaches to learning with the rest of the class. The integrated tools are also proving useful. As teacher Roz Brooks points out, “The boards are really good because of the contrast. You can change the screen colour for different children. For example, for Dyslexic children, you can change colours from white to yellow or a darker colour, and so helping them to read and write on it.”

The training carried out by Optoma has proved popular and helped the teaching staff realise new opportunities and features that are available on the new displays.

Headteacher, Nick Plumb reports that “the teachers have a more reliable system in their classrooms for teaching and learning. Children have been able to see the screens clearly and it's been useful to show the developments. And also, children get excited by new technology, they're moving forward, they're inspired, so they want to engage with it more.”

“I think it's going to open the doors. Having further training means we've got the hang of the first bit, and we've got the basics. Now we can start using more and more complex features that the screens offer.

Mr. Plumb added, “After today's training session, teachers have already been asking can these interactive displays be my added to my classroom next?” Therefore, the plan now is to roll it out to the next third of the school.