SynchronEyes software 6.0 enables wireless classroom management
Award-winning classroom management software helps teachers reach beyond classroom walls
CALGARY, Alberta --- February 8, 2006 --- SMART Technologies Inc. announces the release of version 6.0 SynchronEyes® classroom management software for the Microsoft® Windows® operating system. Version 6.0 offers new features and feature enhancements. SynchronEyes software has user-friendly capabilities, allowing teachers to monitor each student’s screen individually or many students’ screens (as thumbnails); chat with individuals or groups; block games, applications or the Internet; and lock computers. The wireless support feature means monitoring students is no longer limited to the classroom. Teachers can now monitor and control students from anywhere on the network. With a simultaneous connection, teachers, assistants and administrators in different locations can monitor students’ screens.
Designed in consultation with teachers, award-winning SynchronEyes software combines a quiz editor, class-polling tools, and real-time viewing and control over student workstations into one intuitive interface. This easy-to-learn application has updated quiz features, including the ability to import data from electronic text files, add mathematical symbols and export quiz results to Microsoft Excel®. SynchronEyes software has been optimized for use with SMART Board interactive whiteboards and other SMART software.
“I have been using SynchronEyes software for three years now, and I love it. I can control who is on the Internet and when. I can lock students out of the computers during lectures and while giving directions,” says Theresa Taylor, a teacher at Cape Central High School in Cape Girardeau, Mo. “I can even create online tests – the software corrects the tests and immediately gives each student a grade. I am not sure how I managed before I had SynchronEyes.”
“With the increase in one-to-one laptop initiatives, teachers are challenged to manage their physical and virtual classrooms,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s president and co-CEO. “Version 6.0 provides both classroom management and quiz support that allow teachers to take full advantage of this new environment.”
New Features
Enhanced wireless support: Teachers can reach beyond the walls of the classroom to monitor and control students on a wireless network. Through patent-pending technology, SynchronEyes software can share screens using as little as 10 percent of the network bandwidth of previous versions.
Simultaneous monitoring: Teachers, assistants and administrators in different locations can monitor students’ screens.
Automated class-list creation: Teachers can create class lists that include anyone connected to the network and automatically connect students no matter where they are located.
Easy on-screen thumbnail arrangement: Teachers can view desktops individually or sort thumbnails of student desktops to reflect the classroom layout or any other desired configuration.
Broadcast media simultaneously: Teachers can broadcast video to students’ computers simultaneously using common media formats, including Windows Media®, MPEG, AVI and QuickTime.
Pass control to a student: Teachers can choose students to demonstrate a concept or example by handing over control during the teacher broadcast.
Expanded application management functions: Teachers can control Internet usage by allowing access to selected websites or by starting all students on the same website. Blocking rules have also been added to ensure complete classroom control.
Quiz Enhancements
Import existing quizzes: Teachers can import data from existing text files and images into the Quiz Wizard. They can now include mathematical symbols, alter fonts and colors, add bullets and change paragraph styles.
Export marks to Microsoft Excel: Teachers can export quiz results to Microsoft Excel for easy reporting.
Pricing and Availability
SynchronEyes classroom management software is available at a suggested list price of US$1,199 per lab license, which includes one teacher install and unlimited student installs. Not-for-profit educational institutions may purchase a lab license for US$779. There is no charge for software installations on student workstations in the same lab, which gives schools the flexibility to add new student computers to that lab in the future without paying additional licensing fees. A school license for SynchronEyes software, which provides unlimited installs for a K–12 school, is also available. Other volume discounts are also available. For details on how to upgrade an earlier version of SynchronEyes software to version 6.0, visit www.smarttech.com/support/software.
SynchronEyes software is available directly from SMART or from authorized resellers of SMART products. For a free 30-day evaluation copy of SynchronEyes software, additional information, specifications or a list of authorized resellers, visit www.smarttech.com/synchroneyes or call 1.888.42.SMART.
About SynchronEyes classroom management software
SynchronEyes classroom management software enables networked student workstations to be monitored and controlled from one teacher’s computer. SynchronEyes software displays thumbnail images of all students' screens on the teacher's desktop, in order for progress to be monitored, questions answered and lessons broadcast. Teachers can take control of students’ computers to guide them through a problem or focus attention by locking all screens and disabling mouse devices and keyboards. Teachers can also block access to specific applications, including Internet browsers, instant messaging or games. To facilitate in-class collaboration, teachers can assign students to groups, create polls and chat sessions, and conduct tests with automatic marking. Using the File Transfer feature, materials and assignments can be distributed with the click of a mouse. For more information, visit www.smarttech.com/synchroneyes.
###
For more information, contact:
Public Relations
SMART Technologies Inc.
1207 – 11 Avenue SW, Suite 300
Calgary, AB T3C 0M5
CANADA
Phone +1.403.802-2558 Fax +1.403.228.2500
pr@smarttech.com
Please note that SMART is written in all capital letters.