Promethean's interactive whiteboard gets multi-input upgrade
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted June 24th 2007 6:03AM
posted June 24th 2007 6:03AM
Promethean, a "global leader" in the interactive whiteboard market, has announced an upgrade to its Activboard technology that will allow multiple users to work simultaneously on a virtual chalkboard. The company claims that the multi-input interface, called Activarena, will enable groups of students and/or teachers to get completely funky-fresh by debating, playing, and working in tandem. While kids might get excited about the possibilities of this new technology, teachers will undoubtedly be rolling their eyes at Promethean's blatant misspelling of the word "active".
No matter how cool stuff is for school - if its for education - it automatically becomes uncool. But I love the design. I'm still waiting for the beautiful iphone. Yummy!
Hey, this is the stuff they use at my school, although I think the only timethis will actually be useful is for two person pictionary
They look quite good, the thing would be to verify if they really let use them concurrently with no problem...
http://www.wavelengthcalculator.com/
My school uses SmartBoard tech, is this similar?
SKI: The one in your school is called SMART Board and uses finger touch technology and does not require specials pens like this one here. Also I have seen that they have multi-touch boards and tables used in universities.
Endgadget, cant you find actual, technology oriented reasons to slam product? All of Promethean's products begin with activ (I know, I use them and love them). As for dual input, if you go back to school you'll find that multiple input is huge. Microsoft has been cranking on it for two decades. The technological prowess involved in pulling multiple input off indeeds warrants Promethean a hat tip. But... you have to get the basics of computing before you can notice that multiple input is a huge deal. I suggest Devry. You can get your degree in night school!
I think it is wonderful that we finally have dual input. Teaching math using interactive technology just jumped to a new level. I would like to see more serious reporting on this. I am very curious as to why Joshua reports so cynically and sarcastically about breakthrough technology. The activboard works like a computer in many ways. I have never heard of the ability to use multiple input with a PC. I am sure Microsoft is working on it. I think that the brand name is a little silly myself, but so are all brand names. I for one am celebrating and can not wait to get this into my classroom.