Interactive Table for Elementary-school Students

Nov 19, 2008 12:00 PM, By Linda Seid Frembes

Shipping in late winter/early spring of 2009, the Smart Table will arrive with a standard set of interactive learning applications, lesson activities, and educational games. According to company press, it also supports Smart Notebook software through the Smart Table toolkit that is included with every unit. The toolkit will allow teachers to create their own customized lesson activities and content, and load it onto the table with a USB key.

Despite dips in the economy, Knowlton says, "We will push forward with the development roadmap. Things will right themselves. We're in it for the long term."

According to Knowlton, there are additional table products planned for upper grades, likely with different interactions and collaborations for that age group. "Our interactive whiteboards will work seamlessly with the Smart Table. Interoperability is where we excel," she says.

Press from the company suggests ways in which a teacher would integrate the Table into his or her lessons. According to the company, a teacher can introduce a concept on an interactive whiteboard and then ask students in small groups to explore it further on a Smart Table. The Smart Table's touch technology builds on Smart's DViT (Digital Vision Touch) technology, which enables multiuser and multitouch functionality.

The suggested North American education price for the Smart Table interactive learning center is $8,000 (to be confirmed upon release). The suggested education price in all other regions will depend on applicable taxes, duties and import costs. The product will be available in early 2009.