SMART and GroupVision Consulting announce project to study impact of interactive whiteboards in education
Four researchers observe teaching and learning in 160 classrooms
CALGARY, Alberta --- May 23, 2005 --- SMART Technologies Inc. and GroupVision Consulting Tecnologias para la Colaboración, S.L., SMART's distributor in Spain and Portugal, announce an extensive research project to measure the impact of interactive whiteboards on student learning and outcomes in 160 classrooms across Spain and Portugal. The project involves four researchers in Spain and Portugal who are each observing 40 classrooms in 10 schools that use SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards. The four selected researchers include Dr. Domingo J. Gallego of Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Dr. Pere Marquès Graells of Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Dr. Charo Reparaz Abuitua of Universidad de Navarra and Dr. António Rodrigues from Batalha Training Centre.
The research project commenced in January 2005, and researchers will submit their final findings after one year. SMART and GroupVision have provided and installed SMART products in the 160 selected classrooms, trained teachers at the 40 participating schools on SMART Board interactive whiteboards and contributed financially to support the project. Spain's Ministry of Education has appointed an observer to participate in the project.
"Good research is the foundation for innovation and improvement," says Nancy Knowlton, SMART's president and co-CEO. "This project draws upon our substantial experience with developing technology products for education for the past 14 years and with facilitating research on the impact of technology in education in other countries around the world. We expect that it will provide some insights into the broader use of technology in Spanish and Portuguese classrooms. The research results will specifically help education buyers understand the impact of interactive whiteboards in classrooms, and equip them with the information they need to properly implement interactive whiteboards in their schools."
About the researchers
- Dr. Domingo J. Gallego of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Dr. Gallego is also the president of ADETICA (Association for the Development of ICT for Learning Purposes) and professor of educational technology and social psychology, Faculty of Education, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia. Author of many publications in the fields of educational technology, communications and human resources, Dr. Gallego has worked with educational institutions, private and public companies, and government organizations.
- Dr. Pere Marquès Graells, professor of educational technology and director of the research group Didactic and Multimedia at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Dr. Graells specializes in the design and development of multimedia learning resources and didactic methodologies to improve teaching and learning processes incorporating technology. Since 2002, he has led the research project "Digital Whiteboard in the Classroom."
- Dr. Charo Reparaz Abuitua, Doctor of Philosophy and Arts (education sciences sector) and co-director of the Department of Education at the Universidad de Navarra. Dr. Abuitua teaches research methods and education diagnostics and is author of several papers and books on education research and technology. She has also participated in EU studies on the use of technology in education.
- Dr. António Rodrigues, director of the Centre of Excellence "Entre Mar e Serra" and the Batalha Training Centre. Dr. Rodrigues is a specialized consultant and teacher trainer in ICT for Education, Cisco's CCNA. He was a member of the National Council for In-Service Teacher Training, pedagogical coordinator of the National School of Arts and Traditional Crafts in Batalha and coordinator of several other national projects.
About SMART Board interactive whiteboards
The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is a large, touch-sensitive display. Connected to a computer and projector, the interactive whiteboard is like a giant computer screen that students and teachers simply touch to operate. Using their finger or a pen as a mouse, teachers and students can access and control any computer application, file or multimedia platform, including the Internet, CD-ROMs and DVDs. They can also write over applications in digital ink, then save their work for future study and review. The SMART Board interactive whiteboard engages students with diverse learning styles by providing both immediate access to a wide range of digital materials and a common focus for the entire class - not something easily achieved with other technologies. It is the number one choice among primary and secondary school educators in more than 75 countries worldwide because the pioneering software interface captures the imagination of students of all backgrounds and abilities in order to help them learn together, understand better and achieve more. For more information, visit www.smarttech.com/smartboard.
About GroupVision Consulting
SMART products are distributed in Spain by GroupVision Consulting. GroupVision is an authorized SMART distributor since 1997, designed and created to market and distribute SMART products in the Iberian Peninsula. The company benefits from being part of an entrepreneurial group that has a long tradition and expertise in selling hardware and software tools that help groups access and share the information they need to meet, teach, train and present.
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For more information, contact:
Public Relations
SMART Technologies Inc.
1207 - 11 Avenue SW, Suite 300
Calgary, AB T3C 0M5
CANADA
Phone +1.403.802.2552
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pr@smarttech.com
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