Jan 26
Winning a watch
in argyll schools, technology
8 Comments »

I’m just back from a completely un-planned visit to Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh. I got a phone call this morning from Nicola to say that they were testing out a product they had on approval called an eBeam, and could I go over at lunchtime for a quick demo. Of course, said I. The demo was given by George Coyle, a classroom assistant who has a particular interest in ICT.

First of all, I think Drew sums it up quite nicely.

Secondly, it removes the problem I have with SmartBoards, yet is significantly cheaper than any other whiteboard option. You could kit out two classrooms with this for the price of one SmartBoard.

It works by attaching a USB device to any flat surface, and you use a wireless pen to control the interactivity. I’ve no doubt that as with any technology there are limitations, but in a half hour of playing with it, it seemed fairly fantastic to me.

Has anyone else tried one to breaking point?

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8 Responses to “Winning a watch”
 

I tried one out about three years ago when they first hit the market. They got in touch through the mgsonline blogs. I thought it was great and at that time they were about a third of the cost of the IWB. Never understood why more people don’t use them.

Ewan McIntosh wrote on January 27th, 2007 at 1:53 pm

 

I also managed a visit down the road (Hermitage Academy) to see eBeam in action. Really is good! I was very impressed, and so much cheaper than traditional interactive whiteboards! I wish I knew about it before we had spent our recent windfall (courtesy of Scottish Exec.), I think we would have spent differently. Get a demo folks…you will not be disappointed!

Alastair Turnbull wrote on January 31st, 2007 at 5:17 pm

 

One of our techy teachers has been trying one out. Graph comm is proving very difficult with any tools. You can’t get drawing boards for demo purposes any more and as far as I can make out not Smartboard is equipped with the same sort of tools. E-Beam seems to allow him to do his technical drawings.

I would be keen to hear of anyone else trying to do graph comm with some form of interactive board.

Gordon McKinlay wrote on January 31st, 2007 at 9:25 pm

 

We have a number of them in our schools, both USB and Bluetooth versions. The only problems we’ve had have been configuring bluetooth. Apart from the obvious advantage of price, there are two other strengths. They are easily portable so sharing between rooms is easy and because all you need is a hard white surface (we’ve used strong white card, side of a fridge, etc), you can choose a height and size to suit different groups of children.
A similar product is the Mimio from http://www.mimio.com.

Andy Watson wrote on February 1st, 2007 at 9:18 am

 

At BETT we saw them using two eBeams at a time, one at either end, thus creating a large projection area. That would be great for interactive assemblies in a hall, perhaps.

Sheila Morrison wrote on February 2nd, 2007 at 12:10 pm

 

Bluetooth can be a problem in Secondary schools. Dear, sweet children and their bluetooth mobile phones can cause disruptions.

Alastair Turnbull wrote on February 5th, 2007 at 1:05 pm

 

I’m afraid this can happen in primary schools too Alastair! :D Still, much better to encourage them to have a mobile device, and use the eBeam connected by USB to save possible interference, IMHO.

ab wrote on February 5th, 2007 at 1:11 pm

 

And also better to encourage a positive use of bluetooth…

Lynne wrote on February 5th, 2007 at 7:51 pm

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