Salem State College Standardizes on SMART Products Campus-wide
Boston-area college lights up old bulb factory with high-tech classrooms
DENVER – October 20, 2004 – SMART Technologies Inc. announces the standardization of SMART products campus-wide at Salem State College near Boston, Massachusetts. As a result of its successful pilot project with SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards, Salem State has begun to integrate additional SMART product lines into its campus technology plan. Most recently, Salem State converted an empty light-bulb factory into a high-tech central campus, outfitting the classrooms with SMART Board interactive whiteboards and Sympodium™ ID250 interactive pen displays, with the help of local SMART reseller GroupComm Systems, Inc. To assist with the purchase of the SMART products, the college received grants from the SMARTer Kids™ Foundation
Salem State is transforming the culture on campus, moving from a traditional paper-based environment to a collaborative, digital one. To facilitate the delivery of digital content to their students, Salem State instructors use SMART Board interactive whiteboards, Sympodium interactive pen displays, Expression™ multimedia cabinets and SynchronEyes® computer-lab instruction software to teach various subjects, including accounting, education, geology, geography, music, marketing and management. The college also has made a strong commitment to training its instructors on the effective use of SMART products. The feedback from both students and faculty has been overwhelming. Instructors who were once novice technology users have quickly become avid users, and students have applauded this new digital lecture style.
“We've looked at other interactive whiteboard solutions on the market, and nothing is as well developed, reliable and simple to install as the SMART Board interactive whiteboard, particularly its easy-to-use software,” says Jay Catoggio, technology coordinator, Instructional Media Center at Salem State College. “The rooms equipped with SMART Board interactive whiteboards are booked solid, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., when classes are in session, and this high demand by faculty has led to campus-wide installation of other SMART products at Salem State.”
“Vision is the key to creating a 21st century classroom,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART's president and co-CEO. “Salem State College recognized the potential in SMART products to bring the vision to life, and its investment reflects a strong commitment to providing students with the tools they need to succeed.”
About SMART Board Interactive Whiteboards
The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is the world's leading interactive whiteboard. Simply by touching the large display, users can access and control any computer application or multimedia platform, including the Internet, CD-ROMs and DVDs. With SMART Board software, users can write over applications in digital ink and then edit, save, print or post their notes to a website for future reference. SMART Board interactive whiteboards are used in classrooms, briefing rooms and boardrooms around the world, helping people to collaborate effectively whether they are in the same room or in different locations. Feature-rich software and intuitive functionality make the SMART Board interactive whiteboard the number one choice of educators, presenters and trainers in more than 75 countries. For more information, visit http://www.smarttech.com/smartboard.
For more information about other SMART products in education, visit www.smarttech.com.
About Salem State College
Salem State College is a comprehensive, fully accredited, four-year institution. Approximately 9,200 undergraduate and graduate students representing 27 states and 52 nations matriculated during the 2003-04 academic year. Salem State is the fifth largest public institution of higher learning in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the largest in the state college system. For more information, visit www.salemstate.edu.
About GroupComm
GroupComm Systems, Inc. combines audiovisual technology and customized furniture to create smart, well-designed learning spaces where every element works together. For more than 25 years, GroupComm has set the standard for delivering beautiful, innovative and effective academic environments. GroupComm knows that its unwavering focus on customer service is the reason for its success. The team approaches every project with enthusiasm, professionalism, creativity and attention to detail.
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For more information, contact:
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SMART Technologies Inc.
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Please note that SMART is written in all capital letters.