Interactive Projection
Following completion in 2012, the college switched its attention to finding cost-effective, state-of-the-art equipment to transform the building into an advanced learning hub as Colin Aiken, IT Support Manager at the college explains:
“We were looking at interactive screens originally, a few years ago we bought some. Some people liked them, some people weren’t so sure, but we found software inconsistencies when buying them in ones and twos.”
The technological issues sent Hartlepool College on a mission to find a more practical, cost-effective solution. This led to IDNS being invited to demonstrate equipment alternatives to what the college currently had.
The Epson EB685wi Interactive Projector was a hit with staff.
“Unanimously popular, it meant we could bring technological consistency across the entire college. The staff loved the fact it was easy to use and that the interactive pens that come with the projector could be used anywhere on any machine.”
“We’d had issues where pens were linked to specific boards and projectors, meaning they were always going missing and had to be resynced. Within six months most people had stopped using these.”
The success of the demonstrations resulted in Hartlepool College kitting out 60 rooms with various pieces of new equipment.
Despite some unforeseen supply issues, IDNS workers were able to effectively deliver the installations.
“We were managed very wellby IDNS and the installationswere great. They delivered ournew equipment when we askedfor and worked hard, even coming in early to get the job complete.Working around us, IDNS waited to get access to rooms or switched back and forth as and when we needed them to. Nothing was too much for them.”
Since the installations were completed, feedback from Hartlepool College has been exceptional.
“Our staff love the fact the technology just works first time, every time. The tech is being used in collaboration with Windows Ink, which allows PowerPoint presentations to be annotated before being saved and shared with students, and they like how they can use the interactive whiteboard alongside the plain whiteboard.”
Due to the simplicity of the equipment the new technology has been both cost-effective and timesaving.
“We’ve only had to do 10 - 15-minute sessions with the teachers because the technology is easy for them to use. In fact, since the introduction of the new interactive projectors, we’ve seen a notable drop in the number of teachers needing our support.”
