Prestigious School Goes High-Tech After Interactive SMART Products Boost Student Test Scores and Engagement
St. John's Preparatory School equips classrooms with SMART Board interactive whiteboards
Calgary, Alberta – October 12, 2004 – SMART Technologies Inc. announces the installation of SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards and SynchronEyes® computer-lab instruction software in many classrooms at St. John’s Preparatory School near Boston, Massachusetts. The school serves more than 1,100 students in grades nine through twelve, and 99 percent of graduates go on to pursue post-secondary education. The school worked with SMART reseller GroupComm Systems, Inc. to achieve its vision of equipping its classrooms and computer labs with leading-edge technology products that improve student outcomes, expand the teachers’ toolbox and provide a competitive advantage to their college-bound students. To assist with the purchase, the school received a grant from the SMARTer Kids™ Foundation.
Before now, teachers at St. John’s Preparatory School were using regular dry-erase whiteboards for lesson delivery. Today with the SMART Board interactive whiteboard, students in Latin classes complete hands-on reading and translation exercises by interacting with course material on the large, touch-sensitive display. History coursework is enriched with virtual field trips to famous sites and overseas landmarks via the Internet and the interactive whiteboard. The whole class can follow along, write notes in digital ink, take screenshots of relevant Web pages and save notes electronically. And using a virtual frog website in conjunction with the SMART Board interactive whiteboard, students in biology classes can prepare for dissections before actually going into the lab. SynchronEyes software allows teachers to coordinate classroom or lab activity, control student computers, display images and data, share files and circulate notes.
“Last year I developed an application for freshmen vocabulary using the New York Times website. Within days of school starting, students who normally are very quiet for the first few weeks were raising their hands to use the SMART Board [interactive whiteboard] in front of the class,” says Maryann Muhilly, English teacher. “I did an evaluation of my vocabulary quiz and test scores compared to the year before, and there was an increase of about 20–30 percent on the test scores. It was really a very different and very efficient way to approach vocabulary. The kids were so excited.”
“Different people learn in different ways. Visual learners perceive and present things differently from more sequential learners,” says Brother Robert Flaherty, CFX, computer science department chairman. “With technology, we’re providing students with a means for success that may not have been available to them before.”
“Classroom technology products not only help teachers increase student engagement and retention, but they also provide students with the technology skills to succeed in their future careers,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s president and co-CEO. “The integration of SMART products with multimedia peripherals in its classrooms and computer labs demonstrates the value St. John’s Preparatory School places on providing a tech-savvy generation with a competitive edge.”
About SMART Board Interactive Whiteboards
The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is the world’s leading interactive whiteboard. Simply by touching the large interactive display, users can access and control any computer application or multimedia platform, including the Internet, CD-ROMs and DVDs. Users can also 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 another location. Feature-rich software and intuitive functionality make the SMART Board interactive whiteboard the number one choice of educators, presenters and trainers in more than 65 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.smarttech.com/smartboard.
About SynchronEyes Computer-Lab Instruction Software
SynchronEyes computer-lab instruction software enables networked student workstations to be monitored and controlled from one teacher’s computer. SynchronEyes software displays thumbnail images of all students’ screens on the teacher's desktop, so student progress can be monitored, questions answered and lessons broadcast. Teachers can focus students’ attention by blanking all student screens and locking mouse devices and keyboards. To facilitate in-class collaboration, teachers can assign students to groups, set up chat sessions and conduct tests with automatic marking. Using the File Transfer feature, teachers can distribute materials and assignments with the click of a mouse. Advanced control options help teachers take control of a student’s computer to guide the student through a problem or specify shared control for collaborative problem solving. For more information, visit www.smarttech.com/SynchronEyes.
About St. John’s Preparatory School
Founded in 1907, St. John’s Preparatory School is a Xaverian Brothers sponsored school for young men recognized for a challenging college preparatory program that emphasizes academic achievement, leadership and commitment to Christian service. St. John’s is located in Danvers, Massachusetts.
About GroupComm
GroupComm Systems combines audiovisual technology and customized furniture to create smart, well-designed learning spaces where every element works together. For more than 25 years, GroupComm Systems 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, please contact:
Public Relations
SMART Technologies Inc.
300, 1207 - 11th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB CANADA T3C 0M5
Phone +1.403.802.3337 Fax +1.403.228.2500
pr@smarttech.com
Please note that SMART is written in all capital letters.