SMART and GroupVision bring together education experts for first Classrooms with Software 2005 conference
Attendees to examine challenges of using technology in education
CALGARY, Alberta --- November 18, 2005 --- SMART Technologies Inc. and GroupVision Consulting S.L, SMART’s distributor in Spain, announce the first Classrooms with Software conference, taking place at SIMO 2005, the International Fair of Information Technology, Multimedia and Communications, in Madrid. On November 18 and 19, experts in education and in information and communications technology (ICT) will discuss the challenges of introducing new technology into education. The newest research and technology projects in education will be showcased and highlight the positive effects of SMART Board™ interactive whiteboard on learning outcomes and teaching. SMART will also exhibit its world-leading SMART Board interactive whiteboard at SIMO 2005 (Pavilion 7, stand E 501), November 15–20 at the Parque Ferial Juan Carlos I.
In January 2005, SMART and GroupVision commissioned an extensive research project to measure the impact of interactive whiteboards. The project involved 160 classrooms across Spain and Portugal. Research initiatives that collect and analyze feedback from ICT users help SMART evaluate educators’ goals and then provide technology solutions to help them achieve their goals. SMART has long been committed to undertaking research like this in support of its product development activities.
“Bringing together researchers, education experts and teachers at the Classrooms with Software conference will facilitate the sharing and discussion of quantitative and qualitative results from the implementation of SMART Board interactive whiteboards and ICT solutions in the classroom,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s president and co-CEO. “These discussions will allow researchers to share their findings and SMART to continue providing world-class solutions for educators.”
Excerpts of research and observations from researchers and educators using ICT
“The students are as much a part of the fabric of our school as the faculty – both groups have taken strong ownership in the learning process at TechBoston. Students and teachers alike have embraced the SMART Board interactive whiteboard as a 21st-century learning tool. I definitely consider it to be one of the key factors in boosting our level of student achievement on the MCAS [Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System] standardized tests.” – Mary Skipper, headmaster at TechBoston Academy, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
“We have noticed interaction between PMLD [Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties] and SLD [Severe to Moderate Learning Difficulties] youngsters who can now share an activity on the SMART Board [interactive whiteboard]. The SMART Board [interactive whiteboard] can accommodate gross movements which are made in their own time.” – Keith Riley-Gledhill, Sir Charles Parsons School, cited in Sean O’Sullivan. September 2004. The Use of Interactive Whiteboards and Touchscreens by Pupils Who Have Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties. Anglia Polytechnic University, UK
“Those students with strong visual and kinaesthetic learning styles are well catered [to] by a diverse range of Le@rning Federation learning objects especially if they are used in the context of a SMART Board [interactive whiteboard] - the electronic whiteboard that allows more whole body engagement with a learning object.” – Lea Chapuis. June 2004. Learning Objects. Australian Capital Territory Education and Training, Australia
“Through standardized tests, we’ve been evaluating for the past few years how our students perform using higher-order thinking skills. Test scores have shown that our students are doing better in these cognitive areas, and, without a doubt, we believe there is a direct impact on intellectual engagement and gain using this technology. The quality of classroom discussions has been elevated to higher levels because of what SMART’s interactive products allow us to do.” – James Renner, principal at Mariemont High School, Mariemont City School District, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
About GroupVision
SMART products are distributed in Spain by GroupVision Consulting. GroupVision has been an authorized SMART distributor since 1997. Its focus is on marketing and distributing 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. For more information, visit www.groupvision.com.
[1] See: SMART and GroupVision Consulting announce project to study interactive whiteboards in education, May 23, 2005,
For more information, contact:
Public Relations
SMART Technologies Inc.
300, 1207 – 11th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB CANADA T3C 0M5
Phone +1.403.802.2552
Fax +1.403.228.2500
pr@smarttech.com
Please note that SMART is written in all capital letters.