World leader in interactive whiteboards releases new breed of software
SMART Board software 9.0 offers host of first-ever features that simplify integrating digital content into teaching
CALGARY, Alberta --- January 13, 2005 --- SMART Technologies Inc. announces SMART Board™ software 9.0 for the Microsoft Windows® operating system. Available as a free download to all SMART customers, the new version offers numerous first-ever features that simplify integrating digital content on a SMART Board interactive whiteboard. With a more flexible and easy-to-use interface, version 9.0 is all about creating a seamless experience for teachers and students. This version integrates more content, new kinds of content and new tools to manage content, including the option to open and save Flash® files within Notebook™ software, SMART Board software's whiteboarding application. This innovation eliminates the need to leave the whiteboarding application to access an increasing variety of educational Flash content and makes it possible to save Flash files for easy access within the application's library of education-related materials. Version 9.0 resulted from extensive customer input and beta testing.
Another significant first-ever feature is LinQ™ (pronounced "Link") software, which connects any networked computer, such as a wireless laptop, to a SMART Board interactive whiteboard, making it easy to share any student's desktop with the entire class. Other features include new drawing, highlighting and text-formatting tools. Version 9.0 also provides take-home privileges, giving all teachers and students access to SMART Board software features necessary to work on and view SMART Board software files outside the classroom.
"The newest version of SMART Board software provides teachers in the eMINTS program with a wonderful tool that they can use as they incorporate technology and inquiry-based teaching into their classrooms," says Monica Beglau, director of eMINTS (enhancing Missouri's Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies) National Center, Missouri, U.S. "The additional capabilities provided by the new software help our teachers and students share the excitement of their discoveries in new ways that have not been possible before now."
"I am very pleased that teachers can incorporate Flash within Notebook software as most of our online lesson activities are created in Flash," says Haf Jones, primary ICT advisor for Cynnal - Gwynedd and Anglesey Local Education Authorities, UK, which together support 160 primary and special needs schools. "With interactive activities within their Notebook software lesson activity, teachers can address the visual, auditory as well as kinesthetic approaches to learning. I also like the ability to move the toolbar down so special needs students can access the features of the interactive whiteboard."
"As the world leader in interactive whiteboards, SMART has always felt a responsibility to lead the industry with innovative research and development, but it has balanced that approach with extensive input from educators," says Nancy Knowlton, SMART's president and co-CEO. "Version 9.0 offers true flexibility and simplicity to educators tasked with using and organizing a wide variety of digital materials with an interactive whiteboard."
New features
Support for new types of content: Version 9.0 improves ease of use and provides greater flexibility for many teachers who want to incorporate Flash content into lessons. Teachers can play a Flash file from within a Notebook software lesson so they never have to leave the whiteboarding application. Then they can store it in the Gallery, Notebook software's integrated library of education-related content, making it accessible for later use. Version 9.0 comes with curriculum-focused Flash content to help get teachers started. Teachers and students can also open files created on certain other interactive whiteboard brands, which makes a broader range of digital content available in a multibrand environment.
Better integration with wireless and mobile devices: LinQ software, an innovative sharing application available at no additional cost, enables teachers and students to connect any networked computer, such as a laptop or Tablet PC, to their SMART Board interactive whiteboard to quickly share information. LinQ software helps educators create a truly collaborative learning environment using existing PCs in the classroom.
More intuitive and flexible interface: The new interface makes features easier to find and use. With menu bars and thumbnail screens more discreetly organized into tabs, more whiteboarding space is available. As well, the Notebook software toolbar can be moved to the bottom of the screen so younger and special needs students can easily operate the interactive whiteboard. The redesigned interface also offers improved ways for teachers using the Gallery to organize, access and work with clip art, pictures and Flash content within Notebook software.
New drawing, highlighting and text-formatting tools: A number of new tools have been added to help teachers deliver more engaging lessons. For example, teachers can conceal and reveal information point by point by clicking and dragging the screen shade up or down, or left or right, over a Notebook software page, desktop or any other application.
Take-home privileges: Version 9.0 provides take-home privileges, giving all teachers and students access to SMART Board software features necessary to work on and view SMART Board software files outside the classroom.
Pricing and availability
SMART Board software 9.0 for Microsoft Windows operating system is available as a free download for SMART customers at www.smarttech.com/support/software. SMART Board software 9.0 also ships with all SMART Board interactive whiteboards and Sympodium™ interactive pen displays.
For additional information, specifications or authorised resellers, visit www.smarttech.com or call 1.888.42.SMART.
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 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 75 countries. For more information, visit www.smarttech.com/smartboard.
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For more information, contact:
Public Relations Team Lead
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.