Forsyth County Schools lead the way in implementing 21st Century Classrooms Promethean Collaborative Classroom Selected for District-wide Rollout

The County's school system has selected the Promethean ACTIVboard as the interactive whiteboard of choice for a district-wide implementation. This collaborative teaching solution will be installed in 1,500 classrooms over the summer, along with ceiling mounted projectors and integrated video and sound systems.

Selection Process and Results
Mark Klingler, Director of Education Technology for Forsyth County Schools, headed up an evaluation process to look closely at various interactive whiteboards. Each selected manufacturer made a brief presentation to the evaluation committee who graded the solution on a pre-established survey form that ranked usefulness and ease of use of features and functionality. Based on input from these participants and other teachers along with consideration of cost, durability and track record, Forsyth County settled on the Promethean Collaborative Classroom as the best solution to make a positive impact in their schools.

The selection of Promethean was based on the committee's evaluation of key areas, including: durability in the classroom, lesson development and delivery capabilities as well as alignment to the district's instructional goals. Promethean's ability to provide the district with a comprehensive installation and staff development plan was also key to the final decision. Jill Hobson, Instructional Technology Coordinator sums it up: "Best on the market in terms of durability, best on the market in terms of supporting software, best in the market in terms of the training and support provided with the product."

Mark Klingler adds, "Of all of the technology rollouts we have done, we think this initiative will make the greatest positive impact on the learning environment."

Feedback from schools
Several schools in Forsyth County have already invested in Promethean technology with local funds and are thrilled to see this solution coming to all of the classrooms. Gary Davison, Principal of Settles Bridge Elementary, has already installed several Promethean Collaborative Classrooms and has seen first-hand the positive impact this solution has in the classroom. Settles Bridge was selected for visitation during last fall's NSBA national school tour where the Promethean ACTIVboard was featured in their presentation of the 21st Century Classroom. Teidi Counts, teacher at the Settles Bridge adds. "With this in my classroom, learning will be more engaging, exciting and fun. It will help bring my classroom and students into the twenty-first century, despite students' different learning styles and ability levels."

About Forsyth County Schools
Forsyth County Schools is one of the fastest growing districts in the United States, with over 24,500 students and growing annually at a rate of 10%. The district has been nationally recognized for their instructional technology program. "We are truly excited about the transformation of our classrooms with the new Promethean interactive whiteboards and the unlimited potential to provide engaging and appropriate work for our students," said Bailey Mitchell, Executive Director of Technology Services.

Funding for the project came from a county-wide multi-million dollar bond referendum approved this spring with 88% voter approval. The bond included new construction, facility upgrades and a major technology component.

About the Promethean Collaborative Classroom System
Designed exclusively for the education market, the Promethean Collaborative Classroom System is the next generation of group learning environments for whole group teaching, interactive learning and real-time assessment. The system includes the ACTIV board, an interactive whiteboard for Macintosh and Windows; ACTIVstudio2 software, which offers teachers an extensive library of images, background and annotation resources to present powerful, engaging curriculum to the entire class; ACTIVslate XR, an accessory which promotes real-time interaction by allowing teachers and students to direct and control the whiteboard from anywhere in the room, and ACTIVote response system, a radio frequency student hand-held peripheral that provides teachers with instant student feedback during instruction. Additionally, the Promethean Collaborative Classroom System includes the ACTIVtablet, giving teachers the flexibility to develop their lesson plans and flip charts when away from the board, or at home. Promethean also has a special application for the ACTIV board called ACTIVprimary, an exclusive, award-winning design for teaching young learners.

About Promethean
The global leader in Collaborative Classroom Technology, Promethean is bringing new meaning to interactive education. Used in thousands of classrooms world-wide, Promethean solutions are having an astounding impact on teaching and learning. Part of the Promethean Technologies Group Ltd, Promethean, Inc. is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Specializing in educational solutions, Promethean is transforming education through integrated, easy-to-use technology that promotes normative learning and whole group instruction. Key components of the Promethean Collaborative Classroom include: the ACTIV board interactive whiteboard, ACTIVstudio and ACTIVprimary lesson development software, and interactive learning devices such as ACTIVote and ACTIVslate. Promethean also provides comprehensive training and support services.

For more information:
www.eschoolnews.com
info@eschoolnews.com
(800) 394-0115 - Fax (301) 913-0119