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Case Studies
Interactive Technology at Amberley Ridge School
What you said... comments from plasma screen users
Interactive Technology at Amberley Ridge School
Amberley Ridge is a primary day/residential school for children with severe Behaviour, Emotional and Social Difficulties. We are currently fourth in the league tables for value added (progress from Key Stage One SATS to Key Stage two SATS) out of all primary schools (special and mainstream) in England. We have many children who have been excluded from mainstream and are considered "ineducable". There is an emphasis on high quality teaching and learning and we have invested heavily in ICT.
We chose the interactive plasma screens over conventional whiteboard technology because staff agreed overwhelmingly that it was superior. I told staff they could each chose what was best for them from whichever supplier they preferred. A bold move because they could have all chosen something different! They all felt the plasma combination was best.
We decided this was the next level in interactive technology. Plasma is slightly more expensive than conventional whiteboards but it is worth the extra. The screens are smaller but the picture is clearer with a wider viewing angle (you can see clearly from the side) so it does not have to be so large. We purchased one 50" high definition screen in addition to the 42" screens in the other classes. The 42" is wonderful and the larger screen is stunning, producing jaw-dropping responses.
We looked at a range of conventional interactive whiteboards but they have disadvantages such as fragile screens, orientation, ceiling mounting difficulties, sunlight problems, shadow, bright projectors and are generally less user friendly. The powered Hi-Lo feature is very useful (and it impresses the kids). We added our own "low tech" touch of a velcroed white board on top of the frame, for things like the date. The whole system moves easily but it generally lives in one place. As far as we know all existing interactive software works with the system.
I would recommend the Hi - Lo Interactive plasma. The children and staff really enjoy the experience and I have seen some fantastic lessons using this equipment. Children with severe behavioural difficulties are often hard to keep on task. I saw a lesson that lasted over an hour using the interactive plasma to access the internet during a history lesson and the children did not want to stop for break time.
"It takes the children into a new dimension of multi-sensory learning with ICT"
Kathy Macdonald (Class Teacher)
"It grabs their interest no matter what you are teaching. Music used to be a nightmare but they are into it right away. It makes them really want to learn"
Peter Hales (Class Teacher)
David Macdonald
Headteacher, Amberley Ridge School
"I've seen the plasma screen that Inclusive do and I am sold on it. The picture quality is superb, it is fairly portable (within a room easy), height adjustable and, unless you are using it in a huge room, I think it is just perfect. You can do anything on it you can do on an IWB. Our service recently bought an IWB for training purposes but now I've seen the plasma I wish we'd waited and got one of those instead."
Jean Craig
Redcar and Cleveland In-School Support Services
"I'd suggest the interactive plasma touch screen from Inclusive. Very mobile, stable, clear, and unlike interactive whiteboards no shadow - vital when teaching children with autism, and helpful for everyone else! For wheelchair users and tall/short users, MUCH more easily adjusted to a useful height. Largest one is 50 inches - as big as any movable IWB. May look more expensive, but remember the cost of the alternative has to include several bulbs (you will get through several, at several hundred pounds a time - every time the short throw projector is jolted!)"
Rik Ludlow
Writer, Special! Magazine.
"We were so delighted by our Plasma screen that we ordered another one. The Plasma screen has opened up a new world for our PMLD pupils, who are entranced by the quality and size of the graphics. Wheelchair users can access their programs in comfort and can demonstrate aspects of their day to the whole school using PowerPoint and movie presentations. Early Years pupils are demonstrably more focussed and their ICT skills have improved significantly as they are excited and motivated by the Plasma screens."
Helen Morgan
PMLD teacher and ICT co-ordinator at Crownbridge Special School, Torfaen.
"We chose the interactive plasma screens over conventional whiteboard technology because staff agreed overwhelmingly that it was superior. I told staff they could each chose what was best for them from whichever supplier they preferred. A bold move because they could have all chosen something different! They all felt the plasma combination was best."
David Macdonald
Headteacher, Amberley Ridge School
"It grabs their interest no matter what you are teaching. Music used to be a nightmare but they are into it right away. It makes them really want to learn."
Peter Hales
Class Teacher, Amberley Ridge School
"In my class (pupils with PMLD) we have one 50" screen. It has been excellent. Pupils who previously turned away from, or who showed no apparent response to programs on an ordinary touch screen monitor are now actively working at the board - especially using programs like Big Bang.
The visual quality is amazing - even with all our blinds up, and the classroom lights on. There is a startling difference in visual quality between our plasma screen and the other whiteboards throughout the school...
I would definitely buy another one."
Catherine Hunt, Manor Green Primary School
"I'd never go back to the fixed IBWs. We have 5 Interactive Plasma Screens which are shared by the whole school ie 17 classes. We have found no negative points at all and think they are brilliant. Highly portable; we use them a lot for training purposes and governor meetings for example; low maintenance; no bulbs to be replaced; no extra security needed for projectors; and we went for the smaller size so the pupils are able to reach all of the screen. We also use jelly beamers for those pupils with restricted mobility."
Pam Heggie, ICT Senior Leader, Greenacre School
Also see:
Overview
Product Comparisons – with some useful questions to ask when selecting a screen
Related Products – ideal software for the plasma and some useful hardware too
Technical Specification
Demonstration/Training – see the Plasma Screen at a venue near you!
Purchasing and Pricing
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding our Inclusive Interactive Plasma Screen, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team on 01457 819790 or e-mail us on inclusive@inclusive.co.uk