Implementing new interactive opportunities in the classroom, the Troy High School administration plans to provide Education ViewBoards for all teachers by October.
In contrast to the old, original projectors, ViewBoards produced by ViewSonic are advanced touchscreen displays with whiteboards and sharing features. Teachers can write directly on the boards with the attached pens or their hands and share saved notes with all students. Students and teachers can also screencast their computers onto the ViewBoards for presentations and lectures.
The tools provided by this large device allow the classroom environment to improve exponentially. The interactive display permits teachers to draw directly on pictures and films, which improves in-depth learning. The wireless keyboard and mouse that come with the screen will also allow teachers to move around the room. All in one, the ViewBoard will help classrooms conduct clearer presentations, lessons, and collaboration.
Troy High School has previously had 10 smart boards from various small brands for only a limited number of teachers. The school decided to purchase 30 ViewBoards in January, with last year’s surplus from the Fullerton Joint Union High School district. In light of the pandemic, the district offered boards to all the schools in April, and Troy requested 60 additional ones to fill each classroom.
According to Assistant Principal Lance Bletscher, ViewBoards will save thousands of dollars over time. Over 20 years old, the current projectors and screens are very expensive and must constantly be replaced. ViewBoards have built-in speakers, thus, previous speakers do not need to be replaced as well.
Before the first day of school, the teachers received two days of training during in-service days. The teachers learned about the basic fundamentals and the advantages of their boards as they practiced. Bletscher stated, “The teachers were so excited, and within minutes, they saw the impact of how [the boards] could help students learn easily.” He continued with, “Every week, many teachers continue to ask when they would be able to receive one for their classroom.”
With the lights on in the classroom, the ViewBoards help present a clear view of the websites and assignments to the students, French teacher William Fritz said.
“The ViewSonic board allows me to be mobile and not tied down to the projector and my computer,” Fritz said. “I can easily flip between different applications in front of the students, and [the boards] are also a nice focal point in the classroom.”
In the future, the school has plans to make solutions to fit ViewBoards well into each classroom. Especially for the science buildings, the boards will be planted onto walls for an easier and better view. “Depending on the class or the subject, [the school administration] will make some tweaks in order to bring the most benefit for the classroom,” Bletscher said.
Erin Jang, Grade 11
Troy High School
