With the opening of the new facility came the desire to assemble the most sophisticated educational technology in each classroom. Chalkboards, whiteboards, and overhead projectors were the norm at the two previous schools. But the joint administrative and teaching staff of the new school wanted more. More action. More interaction.

"The teachers wanted their classrooms to come alive. They were determined to find a means to exhibit more creativity in their lessons so as to spark student interest and encourage hands-on participation," said Alice Woodward, interim principal of Molino Park Elementary.

So Woodward took on the assignment to review and research the latest, groundbreaking educational technologies for the new school. Her research led her to take a comprehensive look at interactive whiteboards.

Woodward decided that interactive whiteboard technology could expand upon the school's current technologies because of its ability to create a dynamic learning environment. Financially, it was an attractive solution, because it met the stringent requirements of the district's budget. From a resource-management perspective, the school could make better use of its current technologies, not replacing them but enhancing them.

In January 2002, Woodward attended the Florida Educational Technology Conference in Orlando. The conference gave her the opportunity to meet personally with a multitude of companies--each touting their respective interactive whiteboard systems.

"When I saw the various interactive whiteboards, I was excited about this innovative teaching tool," said Woodward. "After I participated in a hands-on demonstration of the ACTIVboard Collaborative Classroom System from Promethean Inc., it was clear to me that the ACTIVboard was not really in the same league as the other systems. It is the only solution I know of that provides a complete, integrated teaching system created especially for the education market."

The ACTIVboard system includes an electronic whiteboard, ACTIVstudio software, and student peripherals. A peripheral device called the ACTIVslate promotes real-time interaction by allowing students to direct and control the whiteboard from their seats. Another device, called ACTIVote, is a wireless handheld device that provides teachers with instant student feedback on various subject matters. All these pieces are designed to work together--not just bolted or added on after the initial purchase.

When Woodward presented her findings to the faculty, "they also began dreaming of the new possibilities for its use in the classroom," she said. "They realized immediately that while most whiteboards simply drive existing applications like PowerPoint or note taking, the ACTIVboard system is a catalyst for change, changing the way teachers can present concepts, engage the students, get them to really interact, and--through the ACTIVotes--get immediate feedback on comprehension. This system creates a win-win solution for everyone."