Täby Friskola chooses the EB-485Wi

Täby Friskola's choice to focus on interactive projectors is because the school believes you can get a high level of functionality at a third of the price of an interactive whiteboard. The school's goal is for all teachers, whatever their class level or subject, to have access to an interactive projector for all lessons. Another reason for the choice was the system's simplicity. Interactive projectors quite simply do not require as much prior knowledge and training. Because, after all, the greatest challenge with interactive aids in schools is to ensure that the products are actually used, and that they are used on a long-term basis.

When Täby Friskola asked its teachers whether they were interested in interactive teaching aids, they received a resounding “yes”. This was the starting point for comprehensive investment in both hard- and software and training. The school started its initiative by investing in two interactive whiteboards.

The technology was well received but, after some years of use, both the teachers and management felt that the boards were too advanced and that the technology was not being used to its full potential. Their high price also restricted the pace of investment. Teachers at low and intermediate levels also requested normal whiteboards to complement the interactive boards.

“We wanted something to compare with and to reduce the cost, or at least to get more for our money. In order to increase use and to really benefit from the opportunities offered by the technology, we should have the same solution in all classrooms. We want to equip ourselves as quickly as possible, and we want all teachers to have the opportunity to use them every day, in all lessons,” says Karin Järleby, Head of Täby Friskola.

Täby Friskola began to investigate other alternatives and decided on Epson's EB-485Wi interactive projector. The school was able to install ten interactive projectors for the same price as four new interactive whiteboards. The decision was made to move the two interactive whiteboards to the upper school and then equip all of the classrooms in the lower and middle schools with Epson projectors. Epson's interactive projectors were used directly on existing whiteboards or white walls. As they were fixed to the walls, directly opposite and very close to the board, the projection distance was extremely short, which in turn minimised shadow effects and glare.

Connected to a computer, the projector becomes an excellent tool for displaying digital content and creating effective visual and interactive lessons in the classroom. The functionality is in the accompanying pen that is used in the same way as a computer mouse, directly on the screen. The projectors are not locked into any specific software, and the school is able to use the software that it thinks works best, in this case, customised software from IT Perspective.

“We realised quickly that the greatest obstacle to using the technology was lack of knowledge and being unaccustomed to it. The motivation was already there – we just had to get hold of it and keep it. It was therefore decisive for us that Epson's projectors were easier to get started with and just as easy to continue to use,” says Karin.

In order to motivate the teachers and encourage them to use the technology, the school has offered four training sessions with hands-on tips and ideas. One huge advantage for the school is that its contact at Epson's partner, IT Perspective, is a qualified teacher who understands teachers' thought processes and motivations and educational challenges.

Victoria Gustafsson has taught at Täby Friskola for seven years and currently teaches years 2-3. She got her first interactive projector from Epson this summer and says this about the technology:

“The interactive projectors brighten up our days and really lift up the lessons. The projectors complement our teaching and engage the younger children with their visual presentation. It is, for example, a great advantage for small children that we can zoom in on certain parts of the board to help direct their focus. The clear colours and large pictures in the IT Perspective software attracts the children's attention even more and helps them focus.”

“The children love the board, and they are so entertained by and accustomed to technology that they enjoy helping and wait for their turn to use the interactive pen. For example, I have found an interactive clock on the internet that I have created a link to. When we are practising telling the time, the children can then come up and use the pen to set the hands,” continued Victoria.

Most of the teachers at Täby Friskola prepare their lessons at home and use a USB memory stick or their laptop to take material from one lesson to another. Many of them also use the projector to stream video, such as news programmes for children. It's easy and quick, and you don't have to bring in an extra TV or pre-record a programme. You can even stream a video live.

Lotta Krieg teaches years 0-1 at Täby Friskola and has used Epson's interactive projectors for just over a year: “Starting up and using the projector is really easy. It is very similar to normal computer use and most of the time feels just like being in front of a computer. I think it is important to also be able to use whiteboards as a complement to teaching and the accompanying pen is really flexible, as I can write notes on the board that I can later save.”