13 Projects from 2017 That Showcase the Power of AV Integration

Interactive Boards Pass the Test for Colo. School’s Tutoring Centers

When test scores showed a significant number of students weren’t hitting English Language Arts (ELA) and Math targets, Palmer High School in Colorado Springs, Colo., began making big changes, putting a new focus on differentiated instruction that engages students in every concept.

Palmer needed a way to transform its tutoring centers into interactive environments where true student-centered learning takes place. Palmer offers two robust tutoring centers, each serving more than 100 students daily in both one-on-one and small group sessions.

Increasing student engagement has been an area of focus for the faculty in the building.To boost the efficiency of its tutoring centers, Palmer High School began rolling out a suite of new technology that fosters greater collaboration.

Each center features a Promethean ActivWall interactive whiteboard. The math center installed an ActivPanel flat-screen board, creating a huge tablet-like surface where students can manipulate shapes, numbers and text on the spot. A separate ActivWall in the school’s media center is available on a reservation basis for all staff.

“The addition of ActivWalls in our English tutoring center and our media center have expanded the opportunities for all of our students to interact with academic material in a meaningful way,” says Karen Owens, Library Technology Educator for Palmer High School.

Owens provides additional training and support to teachers and also co-teaches on the ActivWalls and ActivPanel. During class, she uses ClassFlow, a lesson-building and delivery software platform that teachers and students can use to collaborate. A mirroring feature allows students to share the screen from a laptop or tablet to the whiteboard or flat panel to compare work.