Sarah McLoughlin | Trusol Education

24 May Why a wireless survey is always a good idea

Posted at 14:03h in Education, Technology

When you make an offer on a house, it goes without saying that you’ll have a survey done straight away. Why? A surveyor checks that the house is in good condition, and worth the money you are expecting to pay. With a Wi-Fi network, the same applies. You need to ensure that the system will work as you expect, and you need to ensure it’ll offer the performance you need at a realistic price.

Before buying a house, you’ll think about the number of bedrooms and the location. You might consider the size of garden, or the garage. It’s the same with a Wi-Fi network. There’s a checklist of points to consider before you go ahead and adopt the system.

Fit For Purpose

When you buy a house, it’s possible to buy something much too big and much too expensive. In the same way, installing unnecessary equipment in your wireless network is an expensive way to avoid proper planning. The key to a good installation is to buy a network that fits your needs well, and the key to that is a survey; that way, the network will give the best price performance.

Do you know how many devices you have? Will they need to stream video or just browse the web? And will they all connect simultaneously?

Take a step back and consider the environment. How big is the building, and what is it made of? Solid concrete or steel frames can have varying impacts on signal.

Like a house survey, your wireless survey will need to be conducted by an experienced and qualified engineer. This engineer will identify the best positions for wireless access points and ensure that the data cabling is adequate to support the network. The engineer will also measure the signal propagation around the site.

When planning large networks, engineers often do a complete simulation of the network. This lets them predict – and avoid – dead spots and poor coverage. It may sound strange, but it often saves money and improves performance.

Future-Proofing

After you’ve bought a house, you’ll want to look after it. Maybe you’ll add a conservatory, or a garden pond. Perhaps some maintenance will be required. A wireless network is the same.

Perhaps something has moved, a new room has been added, or a connected laptop has been replaced by 30 tablets. Even something minor, like a new microwave oven, can cause all sorts of issues with an older 2.4GHz network.

That’s why new Trusol support agreements always include a full survey of the existing network, conducted by qualified engineers. They will make recommendations for any changes required, and check that the network is still fit for purpose.

Your wireless network may not cost the same as your house or keep the rain from your head, but it’s still wise to treat buying it and maintaining it in the same way.

Trusol has supplied hundreds of Wi-Fi systems to schools, and can help you to get value for money. For more information about Wi-Fi installation and maintenance services, call us today for a friendly chat.

28 Apr When to call on Trusol for ICT help

Posted at 09:00h in Technology

Technical support is a key service that keeps your school ICT ticking over, and it’s important that your provider answers your queries quickly and accurately. Over the course of a typical month, the technical services team at Trusol receives hundreds of incidents and requests from schools that are extremely reliant on the technology they use.

We spoke to Mohammed Mahay, technical services manager, to find out what a typical day involves for Trusol’s tech support team.

When Should You Call For Support?

Think of the support team as a hub for all ICT enquiries. You can call Trusol with any problem that crops up, any time during the working day. Many of the enquiries the team receives can be fixed almost instantly, over the phone.

Typical calls include access and permissions problems, password problems, internet connection issues, or problems with printers or email. In the event that a problem can’t be resolved over the phone, a technician can log onto the affected machine remotely.

Mohammed explains that most systems are robust, and serious issues are rare. “A backup system might run out of space, or something may be turned off by mistake. If the systems are properly installed, there’s little else that can go wrong.”

In some cases, we need to come back to an incident multiple times. We may even need to visit your premises. Mohammed’s team has a process for dealing with complicated problems, like server outages or power supply failures. “We diagnose these remotely, as far as possible, and then head off to site to make the final fix is we need to.”

What About Major Disasters?

“The most pernicious problems are still malware. You know the sort of thing: the email arrives titled ‘Invoice’, so you open it; it looks reasonable, so you open the document, and then there’s a sinking feeling as you realise what’s happening to your computer.” Your antivirus systems will act as a first line of defence, but sophisticated malware can trick you into circumventing its protection. That’s where the Trusol help desk comes in.

Fortunately, these kinds of emergencies are rare. Mohammed’s team has only had to deal with a handful in the last two years, and is skilled at containing the impact.

If disaster strikes, the Trusol team will immediately spring into action to contain the risk. “The infected PC needs to be rebuilt, the network servers cleaned, and any other connected PCs checked and sorted out. Then, all the data has to be restored from backups.”

Trusol has an excellent response rate for disaster situations. In all cases, systems have been up and running within 24 hours, with no data loss. While you can’t control every eventuality, the key to rapid recovery is this exceptional standard of support Trusol provides.

What About User Error?

We’ve heard some funny stories about ICT support. Occasionally, someone will phone the helpdesk because their mouse is pointing the wrong way. But don’t be embarrassed to ask: that’s what we’re here for.

Even the experts have their moments, as Mohammed explains with a smile. “We spent some time trying to diagnose a printer problem, only to find that the error disappeared by itself. A couple of weeks later, we found out what happened: someone had simply put more paper into the printer.”

Reliable ICT Support For Your School

Managing a school, and preparing lessons, takes a huge amount of effort and planning. ICT problems are the last thing you need, on top of your normal workload. That’s why Trusol is here to help when you most need us.

Our school ICT services cover local authorities across the London area. To find out how we can help you to be more productive, phone 08456 121 222 for a friendly chat today.

16 May Classroom Collaboration and Becoming a Great Academy

Posted at 09:06h in Education

On Friday 10^th June, Trusol will host presentations and discussions, focusing on cutting-edge learning, classroom collaboration and the topic of academy schools. We’re thrilled to welcome Sir Steve Lancashire as our keynote speaker, and we’re looking forward to hearing his take on the two key topics at hand.

Sir Steve always had ambitions to be a head teacher, even in his early life, and is now chief executive of one of the largest academy school chains in the UK. Guided by his keynote, and his experience with the REAch2 Academy Trust, we’ll be looking more closely at the way we use technology in our classrooms.

A Fresh View of Academy Conversion

The event will also look at a topic Sir Steve is closely involved in: the academy school system. After the government’s recent climbdown on forced academy conversion, we’ll discuss some of the success stories that support the model, and look at ways to avoid problems during the conversion process.

Our topic is ‘The dos and don’ts of a successful academy conversion’, so we’ll look at some of the most successful examples of academies today, including Sir Steve’s own organisation, the REAch2 Academy Trust. Is the academy now a tainted model, or can we collectively learn from the discourse with Nicky Morgan and move forward to embrace its strengths?

New Horizons for Learning

From tablet computers to interactive whiteboards, Trusol has deployed classroom technology that empowers students to be more flexible and creative. In turn, these new devices and techniques give teachers the tools they need to deliver more interactive and engaging lessons.

At our 10^th June event, we will be looking at the modern classroom as it is today, and looking ahead as schools continue to embrace the digital revolution. The technology that has driven new opportunities in business is now disrupting learning and teaching, and delivering hugely positive results.

Trusol is keen to look at how cutting edge innovation is improving outcomes for pupils, and helping children to grasp complex topics across the curriculum. With extensive experience in a range of educational settings, including schools in special measures, Sir Steve Lancashire is ideally placed to comment on his vision.

Find Out More:

This free, no obligation forum sponsored by Promethean, will be held at West Twyford Primary School, Twyford Abbey Road, London, NW0 7DN on Friday 10th June 2016 at 12:30 PM.

A complimentary buffet will be served on arrival and the forum will begin at 1:15 pm with an expected finish time of 3:30 PM.

To register an interest in attending this event and obtain a full agenda, please contact Zahir Butta at Trusol on 08456 121222 or email zahir.butta@trusol.com.

14 Apr Why ICT Support is More than Just Insurance

Posted at 10:29h in Education

Many schools view ICT support as a kind of insurance policy for the school. You know you have to pay for some kind of support, but there’s a temptation to go for the cheapest possible option. After all, it works with car insurance – so why not ICT?

But ICT support isn’t just about reacting to incidents and requests, or getting the bare minimum to keep the lights on. It’s a key driver that supports your ability to meet deadlines, serve pupils and make the most of your working day.

Prevention is Better than Cure

If you’ve shopped around for car insurance, you might have been offered a black box policy. With these arrangements, the insurer supplies a monitor that’s fitted to your car to encourage careful driving. These companies know that it’s far better to prevent accidents from happening, rather than clean up the mess once they happen.

Similarly, in ICT, schools know deep down that it’s best to fix something before it fails, and that’s a strategy we wholly believe in. We invest time and care in ensuring that all ICT is fit for purpose, and we assess the ability of your network to cope with peak demand. If you can rely on your support provider to do this kind of groundwork, they’ll minimise the risk of serious ICT emergencies, which will undoubtedly save you time, money and stress in the long run.

If the worst does happen, your ICT team should be able to step in and help immediately. An approved garage has expertise on your car, and similarly, your ICT team should have thorough knowledge of your systems. In our experience, trusting an unprepared, unskilled ICT support team can only ever lead to more problems.

Trusting Your Provider

Cheap car insurance may look perfectly adequate on paper, but when it comes to the crunch, you might find your cover is not all it seems. Many people opt for the cheapest possible protection, only to find that the claims procedure is lengthy, complicated and confusing.

With ICT support, you need the equivalent of fully comprehensive cover. Your school needs the peace of mind to know that the support team can resolve all problems. It’s no good paying for support provision if the terms of cover are limited, because time is of the essence when the next lesson is looming.

Trusol prides itself on offering the highest standards of service, focusing on a proactive approach to problem resolution. Where possible, we’ll monitor and fix problems before you’re even aware of them. And if you do need to get in touch, we offer a one-stop-shop for all of your questions.

If your current ICT support provider opts out of fixing certain issues, or tells you to contact the manufacturer if a piece of hardware fails, that’s simply not good enough. Trusol is committed to covering every component, from the cable that connects your computer to the internet, to the servers that store teachers’ essential lesson plans. We are responsible for sorting out every ICT issue, and we won’t fob you off with excuses.

Investing in the Best

Cheap car insurance may be a headline-grabber, but there’s a time and a place for cutting corners. Your school ICT is an essential service, and your users should expect the very best.

Trusol has a team of skilled engineers standing by to answer users’ queries, and we take great pride in the high standards of cover we offer.

If your ICT support service is falling short of expectations, it’s leaving your school open to risk. Give our team a test drive, and find out how the job should be done.

07 Apr 802.11ac is the Latest Update in Wi-Fi Standards

Posted at 15:38h in Technology

Here’s How Your School can Benefit

Wi-Fi performance has been trending upwards for a long time. Versions 802.11a, b/g, n, and the latest, 802.11ac all represent milestones along the way, and if you are following this as an imaginary graph, the latest, 802.11ac sits at the highest point with the steepest angle from the last.

For schools, the big question is whether an upgrade will make a significant difference to the speed, data delivery and wireless capabilities and if it will be worth the investment in terms of time, money and disruption.

More Bandwidth, More Devices, More Range

Wi-Fi has always been specified to work in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, but whilst the previous generations of equipment could use 5GHz, few routers actually did. The majority of providers decided that 2.4 GHz was ample for the number of devices which could potentially be in range and the cost of supplying systems that also used the 5 GHz band didn’t make sense.

Considering that since Wi-Fi was introduced with few users, just about everyone now has a wireless device on them, including phones, tablets and laptop computers. And as if that wasn’t enough, we now have Internet of Things (IoT) technology impending, which will mean that everything including your fridge, washing machine, and perhaps your TV if it’s not already connected, will be operating on the same bandwidth to maintain interconnectedness.

The problem of having so many devices crammed within the narrower frequency range is that the amount of data which can be transmitted goes down for each, and with it the quality of service. Basically it means we’re all refreshing and waiting for things to load. So the latest generation of 802.11 ac wireless access points actively use the 5GHz band to give a significantly greater connectivity and total bandwidth.

Getting good coverage with a Wi-Fi network is an art. The signal propagation in free space is impressive, but in the actual world of walls and ceilings things are different. On paper the coverage of a 5GHz signal is less than a 2.4 GHz one, however in the real world the addition of a second frequency band and the differing propagation characteristics of 5GHz vs 2.4GHz mean that the actual coverage improves significantly.

A Spider has Eight Legs, 802.11ac Devices Have Eight Aerials

The first Wi-Fi devices had a single aerial, which eventually went up to two and then four, including not just routers but phones and computers as well. 802.11ac devices have the capacity for eight aerials. The benefit of this is that the devices will be able to send and receive data on 8 different frequencies. The more aerials, the more data that can be transmitted and the more devices that can be connected.

Believe it or not it gets better. 802.11ac is also capable of beamforming, which means that signals are electrically pointed from once device to the other, as opposed to beamed equally in every direction. This improves the speeds achieved in the real world quite significantly.

The Bonus: Full Compatibility With Earlier Versions

Wi-Fi standards don’t suffer the same generational problems as a PC might, so there are no limits to adoption from that perspective. 802.11ac wireless networks are fully interoperable with all other variations of 802.11 a b/g and n devices. Users of older devices will not notice any difference in connectivity and in many cases will benefit from improved performance when an 802.11ac network is installed.

The Final Consideration: Cost

New technology usually comes with a hefty price tag, until the next version. The good thing is that 802.11ac has been in production for a couple of years, so manufacturers are making the devices optimally and prices have matured. This means they are probably at their lowest price-point, but being manufactured to their highest level of quality. Any teething problems with production have been found and rectified.

On top of this, the additional range and capacity means that less are required, so where you may have been buying two, you may only need one!

If your school wants to upgrade its Wi-Fi capabilities to 802.11ac, and you need information and assistance integrating the technology, then feel free to contact us.

24 Mar eBooks & Education

Posted at 16:05h in Education

Education is the medicine that cures ignorance, and the suggestion is that the best way to administer this medicine is in ‘tablet’ form.

That’s because it’s increasingly obvious that eBooks, iPads, Android tablets or Learnpads, (made specifically for classroom use); are now a significant and invaluable learning tool.

A recent study commissioned by the Tablets for Schools charity revealed that 70% of primary and secondary schools in the UK now use tablets in the classroom.

As the National Literacy Trust (NLT) has discovered, from their extensive research, the devices make a real and lasting impact on children’s ability to receive information, and to learn from it. The charitable organisation – whose mission is to increase UK literacy – annually tracks the nation’s reading abilities. Their 2012 report revealed that for the first time more students read on computers and electronic devises than the printed page.

Intrigued by these findings, the NLT followed up this report with their 2014/15 survey. Working in conjunction with RM Education, they developed an initiative to examine how literacy improved in schools that used tablets.

Forty schools took part in the programme, and the results were impressive!

It was discovered that using ebooks often had a huge impact on a pupil’s reading habits, along with their overall literacy. The study found that the more time a pupil spent with an ebook, the greater was their progress in reading ability.

Similarly, confidence in reading was also enhanced, with boys showing a significant increase in belief in their own abilities. The percentage of boys who felt reading was difficult almost halved from 28% to 15.9%.

Meanwhile, the most reluctant readers participating in the study saw their enjoyment rise from 49% to 64.2%.

The idea of curling up with a good book was also shown to become more socially acceptable, with a 27% increase of students agreeing that: “Reading is cool.”

Along the same lines, schools reported a 37% decrease in the number of pupils who couldn’t find anything interesting to read.

Discussing the study results, NLT Research Manager, Irene Picton, said: “The study clearly demonstrates the impact ebooks can have on reading enjoyment, particularly for boys, and what has been established goes well beyond the novelty of a new reading format.”

She added: “It is important to recognise the increased reading opportunities that technology offers for pupils, and how it can help children who struggle to read.”

The data suggests giving children access to books in digital format increases their reading abilities and enjoyment, whether at school or in the home. This means they are much more likely to succeed, excelling in all areas of education.

In years to come, initiatives similar to the one created for the NLT study will be crucial in advancing literacy and the love of learning.

Also, it’s important to note that more than 250 schools expressed an interest in participating in the NLT initiative. Unfortunately they were forced to drop out due to a lack of technological infrastructure, inadequate Wi-Fi networks and personnel complications.

This underlines the importance of school capabilities and infrastructure. Without the necessary resources, it will be increasingly difficult for schools to keep pace with the educational demands of a modern learning environment.

The NLT study on ebooks sheds light on what can be achieved, in even a short period of time, when the right technology is combined with traditional learning methods.

At Trusol we can provide you with a range of Learn Pads, tablets or iPads that will turn reluctant book browsers into ravenous readers.

If your school wants to develop a literacy program similar to the one in the NLT study, and you need information and assistance integrating technology, then feel free to contact us.

17 Mar CCTV or not CCTV?

Posted at 09:00h in Technology

So you think you know all there is to know about CCTV?

Well think again.

Because the technology has changed – dramatically.

The name might be the same, but everything else about CCTV is updated, upgraded, modernised and relevant to the digital Britain of today.

The grainy images are a thing of the past, along with the worn out video tapes and unreliable analogue cameras.

At Trusol we understand and embrace the dramatic leaps forward that have taken place in surveillance technology over the past few years.

Leaps motivated by a greater need for electronic vigilance and security in a world where the threats are ever present and ever pressing.

So what’s new when it comes to CCTV?

Well, believe it or not, there are no closed circuits in closed circuit TV. Not anymore.

The system is entirely digital, running through standard digital network cabling. And the cameras are all high resolution mini PC’s, sometimes with the ability to capture and record audio.

With each camera powered from the network (PoE), there’s no need for separate power points or special cables.

Images are recorded on a local machine in the school and digital recordings are available for instant replays. On top of that, it’s all backed up on your network too.

The new IP CCTV Systems are easy to deploy, easy to use and easy to own.

At Trusol we understand how important it is that each school has the right equipment, ensuring reliability and effective camera coverage with the perfect recordings and back up.

We are experts at getting the most out of the system, in a way that is tailor made to support each educational establishment’s needs.

We also take into consideration each school’s privacy needs, as well as e-safety requirements regarding the recording of school children.

When Trusol installs a system we recommend i-Spy Device.

We lock off the part of the school network that the CCTV system uses, meaning it simply isn’t accessible unless through the schools i-Spy Device, which holds recorded footage locally for 30 days.

The i-SPY Device is accessible via a secure VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection via a website login or encrypted App, allowing remote monitoring of the system in order to ensure that it’s working well and allowing you to assess recordings or specific incidents.

It tunnels through the network beyond the school gates in a completely secure way.

These VPN techniques give key holders access to the CCTV images and audio signals when off the premises.

With our expertise, you can be assured that we will get you the IP CCTV system that is right for your school or college.

And remember. It might be called CCTV… but it’s not CCTV.

It’s something better.

A whole lot better.

Security for the 21^st century.

10 Mar The ABC of eSafety

Posted at 09:23h in Education, Technology

Computers linked to the Internet provide a fantastic window of opportunity for educating our youngsters.

But gazing through a window is not always a wonderful experience. Sometimes the view can be ugly.

It’s exactly the same with the Internet.

Alongside the excellent learning resources, children may stumble across X-rated images or dangerous material which is otherwise best avoided.

Terrorist groups such as ISIS use the Internet as a recruiting sergeant and school children, especially young girls, have proven to be susceptible to this form of radicalisation.

A BBC news poll of two thousand 11 to 16 year-olds in the UK calculated that more than half those contacted had done something ‘risky’ or anti-social online.

The report also revealed that nearly half those interviewed had looked at something online that their parents would be unhappy for them to have seen.

Fourteen per cent of the youngsters admitted sending pictures of themselves – or others – that parents would not want them to share.

Nearly one in ten had signed up to websites or services unsuitable for their age group.

Online bullying was also found to be a problem.

These are concerning statistic for parents unsure how to monitor their children’s online behaviour.

Thankfully Trusol can put to rest parents fears with a package offered to schools that not only provides technological innovation linked to education, but also a keen understanding of security needs.

Our entire service focuses on education, and we understand the unique requirements of the school environments. Plus we are well established in delivering excellent quality at value for money prices.

We can also supply a large team of project managers, support administrators, help desk personnel, specialist installation engineers and support technicians. All permanent, long standing employees.

This ensures a high level of consistency, reliability and trustworthiness.

But what about specifics? Well, Trusol offer a Curriculum Advisory Service as part of a service level agreement covering the issues covered above.

We also offer Computing in the Classroom support to all our Primary school clients.

A core classroom Curriculum ‘support package’ is available. Schools can also add additional advisory teacher days at preferential rates.

We have a highly experienced team of advisory teachers, with both national and regional experience.

The package we offer includes:

On site advisory teacher support (2 days), tailored to the needs of the school.
Access to a scheme of work for computing (online) with full lesson support and assessment.
Regular ICT e-newsletters.
On going advice throughout the year.

The bespoke support is flexible and can include, all of the following.

Planning and development support for the Lead Teacher in computing.
Classroom support with an element of the computing curriculum.
Training for staff, NQTs, teaching assistants.
Whole school review of ICT for the Head/SLT.
eSafeguarding advice, support or training.
eSafety workshops for parents.
Support for Foundation Stage.
‘ICT Mark’ (Naace mark) preparation.
Support with London Grid for Learning (LGfL) content and curriculum services.
Support for any subject leader on use of computing within their subject area.
Some application training, for example, ActiveInspire.
Advice or sign posting on specialist curriculum ICT equipment, such as data logging kits, special needs, Early Years etc.
Other relevant curriculum computing/ICT matters.

Our scheme of work is very comprehensive and is annually updated. Ongoing support is provided through email and telephone channels.

For more information about any of the above services, please contact Trusol to discuss partnership options that will give you an exemplary level of service, along with a commitment to child safety that is second to none.

02 Mar Dreaming Of A Wire-Free Laptop?

Posted at 11:00h in Technology

According to the Swiss philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau: “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.”

A similar statement could be made about laptop users.

The original idea behind the laptop was that it would liberate those who used them.

The technology promised a world where nobody would be deskbound anymore or forced to commute to a faraway office, in order to complete a day’s work.

Classrooms and colleges would also have their doors flung open.

All of this did, indeed, come to pass. Yet some chains of bondage still doggedly persist for laptop users.

Or perhaps they aren’t chains. But cables? Most certainly.

No matter how flexible you want to be, you still have to charge your laptop by plugging it into a convenient socket.

However, that is about to change.

Laptop producers have plans to free their devices of wires and cables, thus lightening the laptop load, and saying goodbye for ever to cumbersome power adapters.

Instead, the laptop will be charged when it is placed on top of a table, kitchen unit, desk or any other convenient surface.

The panicked hunt for a convenient socket will soon be a thing of the past.

Last year Intel exhibited a wire-free laptop prototype, which was charged by being placed on a surface similar to the cell phone chargers that already exist.

They also used developing WiGig wireless technology to connect monitors and external storage.

We already know that Wi-Fi can be wireless. Now the rapid development of charging laptop capabilities means that very soon computer mobility will be greatly enhanced yet again.

In other words, another set of chains has been broken, meaning the future laptop user can be more flexible than ever before.

Although the wireless laptops are not yet available, companies have begun to integrate the WiGig technology, as well as taking other important steps.

So hopefully the upgraded laptops will be ready for use next year – perhaps even earlier.

The most common product on display at Bett 2016 wasn’t a laptop, a tablet or an interactive panel, it was a charging rack. A way to store and plug in portable devices for charging.

Perhaps by 2017 these racks won’t be necessary anymore?

Clearly the future is bright for the laptop industry – and for those who rely on them.

For more information on these products, and others, please feel free to get in touch.

11 Feb Our Guide to Buying Interactive Panels for the Classroom

Posted at 10:55h in Education, Technology

Gone are the days when investing in classroom technology meant nothing more exciting than choosing which colour of chalk to buy for the board.

The communications revolution is advancing at a dizzying rate, and educators have to keep pace – or fall from grace.

Especially as modern students are cyber savvy with an aptitude for apps and teachers are hungry for better engagement and group collaboration.

In an age where interactive whiteboard and projection systems have become common place in the classroom, the advancing technological revolution is driving this arena to new heights.

There’s no longer the need to calibrate classroom interactive systems every time they are turned on to ensure accuracy of the boards interactivity. Neither is there the worry about dazzling projectors and the risks presented to teachers who stand in their glare for long periods, casting shadows onto the interactive whiteboard. Teachers no longer need to worry about aging projector bulbs and the fear that an old bulb will become so dim that it either can’t be seen or risks blowing at a high cost of replacement.

New interactive touch panels eliminate all these issues and are the next revolution in the interactive, collaborative and engaging classroom experience.

The only problem is choosing the right one for you and your students.

It’s no easy task, as there’s plenty of hype and jargon to be navigated.

Luckily we’ve done the work for you, so here’s our top tips for buying the best interactive panels for your classroom.

1) Size is everything

Flat panel interactive displays which are suitable for most classroom sizes range from 55” to 98”, with the most popular sizes being in the range 65” to 84”. The size of the room should dictate the size of your screen. The basic rule is that the screen should be large enough to allow the students at the back of the class to be able to easily read a 20pt font.

Beware of the potential weight of some of these interactive panels though. They range from 38Kg to over 100Kg in some cases so the logistics for installation and feasibility of wall and room mounting positions needs to be carefully considered for safety reasons.

2) Resolution is key

The resolution defines the sharpness and clarity of any visual panel and is the number of pixels (individual points of colour) contained within the screen. The resolution is defined as the number of pixels in the horizontal axis X the number in the vertical axis. The higher the resolution, the sharper and crisper the image.

In today’s environment, nothing less than standard High Definition 1080P (1920×1080) should be considered.

You need to consider the PC or device that you will be using to drive these classroom interactive screens as if the graphics capability of those devices is lower than 1080P HD, you will only be able to display at that lower resolution on your new interactive panel. Video Graphics Resolution (VGA) is still very prevalent in older classroom PC’s which is only 640×480 and will look very grainy compared to HD.

Some interactive panels are now also available in Ultra High Definition which is referred to in the industry as 4K (3840×2160). However, very few PC’s in the educational sector today have the graphics or processing capability to be able to output at 4K and very little material is available in 4K resolution.

3) Lifespan and peace of mind

There are many different interactive panel manufacturers offering screens in today’s market place and many of them are new names and emerging brands. That is not to say that some of these products should be dismissed but it is always worth knowing the expected lifespan of the interactive panels you are considering along with the warranty terms of each device.

Any reputable screen should be able to boast 50,000 hours of expected use which will far surpass 15 years in a general classroom environment.

Understand the warranty terms of these screens as well. They can range from 12 months on a return to base warranty, all the way through to 7 years on site de-install and re-install cover.

Our advice to anyone looking to purchase interactive panels would be to dismiss any vendor offering less than a 3 year on site de-install/re-install warranty.

4) Here’s the deal on touchy-feel

One of the main reasons to buy an interactive panel is, of course, to touch and tap the screen while making use of recognised gestures to perform daily tasks on the device.

But not all screens are equally accommodating in their flexibility around touch or indeed their ability to recognise different touch sources. For example, some interactive screens can only be operated with either a magnetic or electronic stylus while other more comprehensive systems will know the difference between stylus operation and finger touch with some of them even able to recognise specific gestures of the hand in relation to specific tasks.

Alongside this is their ability to handle multiple simultaneous touch points.

You’ll need at least two touch points to ‘pinch’ or ‘zoom’ an image if using the interactive panel on your own. However, invite students to engage and collaborate at the front of class and suddenly you need many more interactive touch points per screen.

Most interactive touch screens are available with 6 or 10 simultaneous touch points.

Our advice would be to only consider interactive screens with 6 or more touch points.

5) The driving force. Is it in or out?

Many of the newer interactive screens are available with inbuilt Android players or low spec Windows PC’s, meaning that plug and play use is readily available.

Simply switch on your interactive panel, connect it to the internet and away you go.

However, the functionality of these Android players or low spec integrated Windows systems is yet to challenge the functionality available from an external high specification driving PC or blade style PC.

In many cases, Android operation will only support 6 point touch but for many, this is more than acceptable in a general classroom environment.

What you need to be clear on is how you intend to use your interactive panel, what classroom software you need to be working with and what PC, laptop or integrated blade style PC you will need to guarantee you that performance.

Alongside this consideration, you also need to select an interactive panel which offers you adequate input and output connections.

Reputable interactive panel manufacturers will offer 2 or more HDMI inputs, a VGA input, Component, AV and PC audio inputs as a minimum. On top of this, you should expect at least one USB2.0 port and one USB 3.0 port with possible connectivity of such devices along the front of the screen for easy access.

6) Networking – Hard wired or Wi-Fi?

All interactive screens which boast integrated Android or Windows players should come with an Ethernet network interface (LAN- RJ45 Connection) or with embedded Wi-Fi capability.

Basic interactive panels which don’t offer integrated Android players or similar will not offer any form of networking capability as that will be the function of the supporting laptop or PC in that case.

7) How does it sound?

Most reputable interactive panels should include some form of integrated speaker system although in some cases, these speakers are deemed unsuitable for a large classroom environments.

Majority of panel manufacturers are limited by space within the screen enclosure for mounting and presenting speakers, particularly in the new sleek, slim bezel screens. Therefore, it is common to find only 2 x 10 watt speakers in most interactive panels which in most cases are rear facing.

Some panel manufacturers have given a lot of consideration to this particular area and as such have styled their screens such that forward facing speakers are present.

These do make a significant improvement in volume and sound quality compared to screens with rear facing speakers. However, additional sound bars are readily available, are low cost and integrate nicely underneath most manufacturers interactive panels, further improving the sound quality and potential volume levels achievable within the classroom environment.

8) A touch of glass

One of the key differentiators amongst interactive panel manufacturers is the mechanics of the glass.

It may sound like an obvious statement but all classrooms, interactive panels should have at least 4mm thick toughened glass.

On top of this, many manufacturers offer either anti-glare or anti-reflective glass so that wide viewing angles are achieved.

The real differentiators are those manufacturers who offer frictionless surface technology on the glass which makes swiping and general screen usage better, thus enhancing the whole user experience.

9) Higher, Lower or Stick!

Another consideration you need to make is where in the classroom you are going to mount your interactive panel and the physical size of those who may need to use the screen.

Many nursery schools or early year classes make good use of mobile or wall mounted electronic height adjustable brackets for their interactive panels.

These enable the teacher to use the screen at a height deemed acceptable for adult use and then to easily lower the screen to a level such that young children can join in with the activities.

For senior schools, higher education establishments and training suites, a fixed wall bracket is generally acceptable.

10) Do I get what I pay for?

Not always the case but generally yes, the more you spend, the better the build quality, after sales support and accompanying software (which hasn’t been discussed in this article but may also influence your choice of interactive touch screen selected).

However, there are always deals to be done and project supported pricing for some larger purchases from many of the panel vendors and distributors so don’t be afraid to shop around.

You do however need to consider the cost of installation from an accredited, reputable installer if you are purchasing the interactive panels yourself with a view to having them fitted by others.

A poorly installed panel may not be covered by the manufacturers warranty so make sure you are not limiting your financial benefits by trying to take shortcuts in the wrong areas!

So be prepared and do your homework. After all, a lack of panel knowledge can only lead to a panel beating…

For more impartial information on upgrading to new interactive touch panels in your school, or any other advanced technology in your classrooms, feel free to contact us.