TL21 Hardware & Software List
Laptop
Projector
Document Camera
Interactive Whiteboard
Leftover Grant Award Funds
Laptop
Important — Make sure you come equipped with a laptop, not a netbook. You’ll need a 14” display screen, at minimum, and the processing power of a standard laptop.
- MS Office or Open Office installed.
Projector
The TL21 equipment budget is based on an LCD XGA model with a minimum of
2200 lumens at about the $550-650 price point.
As a best practice, we strongly recommend you mount the projector on the ceiling or wall to eliminate shadowing and reduce the continual need to orient the interactive whiteboard. Here are some of the most popular models for education in this price range:
- Epson PowerLite 92, 93, 95.
- Hitachi CP-X2011, CP-X2011N, CP-X2511, CP-X2511N
And here’s a list of other projectors that meet the TL21 requirement:
- Sanyo PLC-XW300, PLC-XD2600.
- DLP Projectors: Mitsubishi EX200U, XD221U, EX240U, XD250U
Projector + Whiteboard Purchase
If you choose to buy a projector and interactive whiteboard, make sure the
aspect ratio for your projector matches the aspect ratio (height/width
proportion) of your interactive whiteboard. Wide screen interactive boards work
best with projectors that feature WXGA resolution — W stands for wide. If you
need help with this purchase, contact the technology director in your district
or your
TL21 facilitator.
Document Camera
The document camera must include software that allows for video and audio
capture. The TL21 equipment budget was based on a document camera at about the
$450-550 price point. Here are some of the most popular models for education in
this price range:
- AverMedia CP155, CP355, 300AFPlus.
- Lumens DC211 Ladybug and Ladybug DC166
- Elmo TT02 RX
Interactive Whiteboard
The three most popular interactive whiteboards in Washington are made by
Smartboard, Hitachi and Promethean. Your budget will determine how much you can
spend on the boards and their various features:
- SMARTboard: 77” or 87” interactive whiteboard—ranges from $1,231 to
$1,724—or the Smart Slate—$335. Single-user and dual-user boards are available.
- Promethean Activboard: 78” or 87” interactive whiteboard—ranges from
$1,167.69 to $1,380.19 or the wireless ActivSlate 50 for $299. Single-user and
dual-user boards are available.
- Hitachi Starboard: FXTRIO 77” or 87” interactive whiteboard—ranges from
$1,149 to $1,989. These are triple-touch boards, and can be used by up to three
students at the same time. The Hitachi WT1 tablets are available, too, for $328.
Here are other manufacturers that make boards and tablets suitable for
education.
- Interwrite Dualboard from eInstruction or Interwrite.
- eInstruction’s chalkboard tablet or the Mobi tablet.
- Eno board from Polyvision.
- Mimeo wireless interactive system. (Make sure the system does not interfere
with school motion detectors.)
- Qwizdom Presenter tablet.
- RM Handheld table.
Projector-Interactive Whiteboard Combos
Projector manufacturers make models that turn any solid surface into an interactive whiteboard. Pricing is roughly what it would cost to buy the projector and interactive whiteboard separately. Some of the newest makes and models of these combo’s are priced between $1,699 and $1,799. Here are two:
- Epson 455Wi
- Hitachi IPJ-AW250N
Leftover Grant Award Funds
If you have leftover dollars once your district buys everything you need for year one, we recommend that you save them and apply to the equipment you’ll need in year two.
If you choose to spend leftover funds in year one, here are some smart
suggestions:
- Web Cam. Take a look at Logitech webcams.
- Netbooks or student computer stations for project-based learning. Aim for a
ratio of one computer for every four students.
- Wireless tablet that matches the interactive whiteboard. Get more freedom to
move around the classroom and expand the interactive potential with learners.
- Interactive whiteboard accessories or add-ons. Think about USB extension
cables — highly recommended — wireless adapters, extra pens and wands, etc.
Options depend on the model.
- Flip video cameras and digital cameras.
- Multimedia software video, audio, image editing.
- Digital microscope.
- Microphones or headsets for students.
- Powered external computer speakers.
- Laser printer + toner cartridges instead of buying an ink jet printer, which
is costly to maintain.
- Accessories — power strips, cord covers, USB extension cables, USB hubs,
wireless mouse and keyboard(s), spare projector lamp, laptop case.
- Mount your projector on the ceiling or wall. Important — your district might
charge for the labor to mount the projector. Check with your district technology
director.
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