Free Online Orientation for SMART Board Interactive Whiteboard Users
SMART now offers a full suite of online and on-site product training
Calgary, AB – May 13, 2004 – SMART Technologies Inc. announces the launch of free online orientation sessions to provide SMART Board™ interactive whiteboard users with a no-cost option for learning interactive whiteboard basics. Using audio and data conferencing, an instructor provides brief step-by-step instructions and answers participants’ questions in real time. Customers can then put the products to immediate and productive use in their organizations. With the addition of online orientation sessions, SMART is the only interactive whiteboard manufacturer to offer a full suite of online and on-site training sessions as well as free downloadable training materials.
SMART customers can currently choose from two different half-hour orientation sessions. The session on SMART Board interactive whiteboards provides basic instruction on writing on-screen in digital ink and capturing annotations made in any computer application. The session on Notebook™ whiteboarding software covers basic functions such as using the toolbar, creating objects, accessing clip-art and template collections, and exporting Notebook files to other file formats. Additional sessions focusing on hardware setup and SMART Ideas concept-mapping software will be available soon. In addition to the online orientation sessions, SMART offers a range of training options through its comprehensive online training center, which features free downloadable training materials for Windows and Macintosh users, and through training events held on-site and at major centers across North America.
“We’ve had very positive feedback from customers about the value of the training that they receive from SMART,” says Nancy Knowlton, president and co-CEO of SMART. “The new online orientation program provides another training option for our customers to ensure they get the most from their SMART products.”
How to Join an Online Orientation Session
Half-hour orientation sessions are offered four times weekly to accommodate customers in various time zones in the United States and Canada.
Sessions are delivered via Bridgit™ data-conferencing software (also a SMART product, for the Microsoft® Windows® operating system) and conference call, toll free for customers in the United States and Canada. Customers in other countries may join sessions through a regular international call. Customers can find session schedules and simply download the client software and connection instructions for accessing the Bridgit software data conference at www.smarttech.com/trainingcenter/online. Advance registration is not required.
For more information, contact SMART training services at 1.888.42.SMART extension 2568 (in the U.S. and Canada) or +1.403.245.0333 extension 2568 (international).
About the SMART Board Interactive Whiteboard
The industry-leading SMART Board interactive whiteboard transforms a computer and projector into a powerful presentation and teaching tool. Users can access any computer application, including the Internet and CD-ROMs, by touching the large, touch-sensitive screen. With SMART Board software, users can also write over applications in digital ink, and then edit, save, print or post their notes online for future reference. The SMART Board product family features a wide range of front-projection, rear-projection, in-wall and flat-panel overlay models to suit different budgets and facility needs. More than 160,000 SMART Board interactive whiteboards are already in use in classrooms, briefing rooms and boardrooms around the world, enabling people to collaborate more effectively, whether they are in the same room or at remote 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 65 countries worldwide.
Other Training Resources from SMART
In addition to free online orientation sessions, SMART offers a full suite of training resources to meet a variety of budgets and learning styles. For additional information, visit www.smarttech.com/trainingcenter, e-mail services@smarttech.com or call 1.888.42.SMART.
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Free Software Tutorial – This brief tutorial on SMART Board software is included in the SMART Notebook software CD. |
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Free Training Materials Online – This library of quick reference sheets and hands-on exercises provides simple visual instructions with step-by-step examples to introduce basic SMART Board product functionality. |
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Master’s Training Events – These in-depth sessions are held at scheduled times and locations across North America and are designed to help customers master the basic and advanced functionality of the SMART Board interactive whiteboard. |
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Master's On-Site Sessions – These half-day or full-day, in-depth, customized sessions are held at a customer’s location and help participants master SMART product use. |
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Train-the-Trainer Sessions – These full-day sessions are held at a customer’s location, where trainers receive in-depth, hands-on training on product features and learn how to deliver similar training to others within their organization. |
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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.