New multiuser, multitouch table enables small group learning and collaboration
CALGARY, Alberta --- October 23, 2008 --- SMART Technologies announces the SMART Table interactive learning center, a ground-breaking learning display designed specifically for preschool to sixth grade students (ages 4 to 11). The new product is a brightly colored table with a touch-sensitive surface where groups of students can simultaneously interact with digital content. Working together to complete interactive lessons, play educational games and solve problems, students think the interactive learning center is fun and easy to use, and their teachers find it educational. The SMART Table provides a learner-centric experience for small groups that allows students to select or move objects, draw or write on the screen simultaneously, and work together to find answers to preset questions. The interactive learning center is an ideal complement to the whole-class learning opportunities provided by SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards. For example, a teacher can introduce a concept on an interactive whiteboard and then ask students in small groups to explore it further on a SMART Table. The SMART Table’s touch technology builds on SMART’s DViT™ (Digital Vision Touch) technology, which enables multiuser and multitouch functionality. The product reflects the company’s leading role in touch interaction technology, particularly as it relates to interactive whiteboards and interactive displays.
The SMART Table (patent pending) is ready to use right out of the box, containing a customized PC and a projection system that are turned on with a single button. It has a built-in 27" (69-cm) screen (on the diagonal) that can read simultaneous input from virtually unlimited number of fingers or pen tools. At 29" (73 cm) wide and 25" (65 cm) high, the SMART Table is ideal for small groups to work around without crowding. It ships with a standard set of interactive learning applications, interactive lesson activities and educational games, and also supports SMART Notebook software through the SMART Table toolkit. A toolkit is included with every unit and allows teachers using a PC or Mac to create their own customized lesson activities and content, which can then be easily loaded onto the table with a USB key. Independent software and content developers have already recognized the potential of the SMART Table and are creating additional content for it, which will be available with the product in spring 2009.
“Technological innovation in education over the past two decades has enriched student learning and made it a more effective, learner-centered experience,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “The SMART Table interactive learning center builds on that success by giving students a 21st-century tool they will understand and use to further their own sense of collaboration, discovery and excitement.”
Image
To download an image of the SMART Table, go to www.smarttech.com/table
Features
Multitouch – Accepts simultaneous input from a virtually unlimited number of fingers or pens
Multiuser – Accepts simultaneous input from many users
SMART Table toolkit – The toolkit is a stand-alone application that runs on teachers’ computers so they can customize SMART Table applications, or create personal content in SMART Notebook software and load them on the SMART Table’s customized PC using a USB key
Audio support – Supports applications with audio
Gesture recognition – Supports object scaling (pinching the sides of an object to control the size) and object rotation (putting two or more fingers on an object to rotate it)
Customizable – Offers a wide range of images and backgrounds to make activities more engaging for specific topics
Convenient size – Approximately 29" (73 cm) wide and 25" (65 cm) high with a 27" (69-cm) screen (on the diagonal), making it ideal for young children in small groups
Wide viewing angle – Ensures viewers can clearly see the information on the screen from any angle
Precision touch – Direct, precise touch control for accurate data selection and interaction
No calibration – Ready to use; take it out of the box and plug it in
SMART Table product package – Ships with a standard set of interactive learning applications, interactive lesson activities and educational games
Pricing and availability
The suggested North American education price for the SMART Table interactive learning center is US$8,000 (to be confirmed upon release). The suggested education price in all other regions will depend on applicable taxes, duties and import costs. The product will be available in Spring 2009. For more information, specifications and a list of SMART authorized resellers, visit www.smarttech.com.
