“One of the teachers realized that she did not have to turn her lights out with the new projector so that spread rapidly through the building and the teachers were really excited,” Martin says. “It’s the simple things, but it does make a difference.”
Before the new projectors were installed, teachers had to turn out the lights completely to see projected content.
Now, that isn’t a problem. The new NEC projectors use ActivBoards as their screen. Special programming allows the projectors and the boards to work together so students can interact with and manipulate projected content.
Winning the NEC contest and replacing classroom projectors at no cost, had the added benefit of freeing up some additional technology funds for the district.
“Not having to worry about that expense has allowed us to add computers in our lab and things that we definitely needed but did not have money for in our budget,” Martin says.
RELATED: University of Oregon Builds Football Performance Center for Champions
The school also received eight 19-inch NEC AS192WM desktop monitors with built-in speakers to complement the new computers as part of their prize. In addition, 23 NEC E324 32-inch LED edge-lit commercial-grade displays were ordered for Northwest classrooms.
The new technology is up and running at Northwest Elementary. Martin says the teachers are “thrilled” with their new tools, but she cites the recently installed digital signage as having a particularly big impact on the school community.
A large monitor now hangs in the main area where parents drop off their children in the morning and check them out at the end of the day.
The display is used to communicate important information and to advertise events like the school’s Thanksgiving dinner. It’s also used to play the school’s morning announcements, which features students, giving parents the opportunity to see their child on TV.
“It has been a great highlight,” Martin says. “It’s been fun and educational for parents.”
