Dorchester School District 2 standardizes on SMART Board interactive whiteboards
South Carolina district equips classrooms with more than 1,200 interactive whiteboards
CALGARY, ALBERTA --- June 7, 2006 --- SMART Technologies Inc. announces that it was awarded the contract to standardize South Carolina’s Dorchester School District 2 with more than 1,200 SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards, following a formal bidding process. Installation of the interactive whiteboards in Dorchester District 2 is nearing completion as students and teachers prepare to embrace the latest education technology for 21st-century classrooms. In addition to SMART Board interactive whiteboards and SMART Board software, teachers will have access to standardized curriculum templates, SMART Ideas™ concept-mapping software, a wide range of tutorials, more than 6,000 learning objects and close to 1,500 lesson activities.
Located in Summerville, Dorchester District 2 is the ninth largest school district in South Carolina, with more than 19,000 students in 17 schools. The award-winning district prides itself on setting performance measures for both teachers and students, and enriching the learning experience wherever possible. The district’s innovation and commitment to education were officially recognized when it received the Public Charter School District of the Year award in 2005. SMART Board interactive whiteboards and SMART Board software will become the basis of the district’s leading learning process for both students and teachers. District administrators, particularly school principals, have played a very hands-on role in the implementation of the technology plan and the installation of SMART products to ensure students – and teachers – get the most from the district’s technology investment.
“We have gone from nearly last in technology to becoming a technology leader in our state,” says Joseph Pye, Dorchester District 2 superintendent. “We have used this opportunity to creatively maximize our financial funding to achieve this high level of instructional technology. Everyone in our school family is very excited about what the SMART Board interactive whiteboards will do to improve student interest and achievement.”
“One of the main reasons we selected the SMART Board interactive whiteboard over its competitors was its ease of use,” says Jerry Crisp, Dorchester District 2 director of technology. “It’s so much like Windows!”
“The classroom of tomorrow is here today in Dorchester School District 2,” says Nancy Knowlton, president and co-CEO of SMART Technologies Inc. “With this standardization decision, Dorchester has made a serious commitment to creating a learning environment that can effectively prepare students for a new world of work.”
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 classroom technology products. It is the number one choice among primary and secondary school educators in upwards of 100 countries, capturing the imagination of more than 11 million 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 Dorchester School District 2
Dorchester School District 2, located in Summerville, South Carolina, serves over 19,000 students in 17 schools. The district has focused on academic excellence and improving student achievement through the establishment of 26 performance goals to ensure student success at every level in K–12. The nine elementary schools, five middle schools, and two high schools that make up the district school system are all accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The district also operates an alternative program at Givhans School. Seven schools have been named Red Carpet Schools by the State Department of Education in recognition of their family-friendly environment. In an effort to address the growing student population, the district has embarked on a building program to construct two elementary schools in 2006, a middle school opening in 2007, and a high school opening in 2008. For more information, visit www.dorchester2.k12.sc.us.
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