Considerations when Purchasing Interactive Panel

Refer to Implementing “ICT in School Buildings Tier 3: Peripherals and Innovation”.

CONSIDERATIONS
Here are some things to consider when buying Interactive Panel:

1.  PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION COST 

• Brand name
• Size – the bigger the board, the higher the price
• Building type and location – installation costs can be higher if it’s located somewhere with poor access for running of cables within walls, ceiling and floors. 

2.  PANEL LOCATION

Where you place interactive panel can have a large impact on how well it will work in the classroom. Glare from light and also classroom lights can reflect badly on the panel, so you will need to position it to minimise glare. Try to avoid placing the panel in a location that gets direct sunlight as it will make the image harder to see. If young children will use the panel, don’t mount it too high for them.  As the whole screen is interactive, the top of the screen needs to be within reach also. 

3.  PANEL SELECTION AND INSTALLATION 

When it comes to selecting and installing interactive panels, they are very similar to choosing interactive whiteboards.  Here are some examples of what you should consider: 

• Mounting - mount the panel based on the manufacturer’s specifications on distance and height. 
• Resolution - make sure your panel will run the software you wish to view on the panel.  
• Replacement / Maintenance - they can vary and have very different life spans if the panel is intended on being used every day, for most of the class time.
• Size - the size of the panel should be of a size that the intended users can reach to use properly. 
• Computer Type – will it be used via a classroom PC which will sometimes make that computer unavailable or via a Teacher Laptop? 
• Light - consider rooms with skylights or large with areas of windows, choosing a wall to mount the panel out of direct sunlight or in a darker area of the room should be considered. 
• Interaction Type - the type of interaction with the panel is usually via touching the screen with a finger, or by using a pen that has technology in it to know where you are drawing on the screen.  
• Brands - The Department has established a panel of preferred suppliers of interactive panel and associated products, found on the eduSTAR hardware catalogue .