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Now that computer technology is an integral part of implementing the K-12 school curriculum, today’s colleges of education are training future teachers for a new kind of collaborative classroom. “As we work with outside schools and our partnerships, we are continually reminded that our teacher preparation models must be in step with fast changing K-12 initiatives,” said Michael J. Modesitt, Ph.D., director of technology at Ball State University’s Teachers College in Muncie, IN, one of the most comprehensive and renowned colleges of education in the U.S.
Located 60 miles northeast of Indianapolis, Ball State University has a total enrollment of 22,000. Ball State University’s Teachers College occupies an 11-story building, the tallest in Delaware County, with 3,400 students. It is home to six academic departments: Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services, Educational Leadership, Educational Psychology, Educational Studies, Elementary Education, and Special Education. The school was one of the first Teachers Colleges to require that each student have a laptop.
Student Becomes Teacher
Classroom projectors are the norm on Ball State’s campus, but the Teachers College took a big step forward in interactivity with the installation of Epson BrightLink® 475Wi interactive projectors. Ball State equipped 35 classrooms, conference rooms and seminars rooms with the BrightLink interactive projector during a two-year renovation of the Teachers College building.
“From my school’s perspective, the number one impact of using interactive projector technology in our classrooms is that it allows our students to participate in both classroom learning and teaching,” said Modesitt. “From the very first day of instruction, we put them into the role of teachers, encouraging them to share knowledge with the classroom using our interactive wireless projectors.”
The ultra-short throw BrightLink changes almost any surface into an interactive area, projecting high-definition WXGA widescreen resolution images up to 100” without shadow interference. The projector and its interactive pens integrate interactivity into one machine without the restrictions or expense of an interactive whiteboard.
Wireless & Interactivity
“When we first saw the BrightLink, we knew it would be a good fit for our teacher education programs and collaborative classrooms,” said Modesitt. “We’re working toward a truly wireless environment across the board. As we move away from dependence on hard wired networks in the classroom, it makes sense for connectivity to the projection system to be wireless too.”
BrightLink transforms a Teachers College classroom from one teacher instructing 20 students to 21 teachers learning from each other. The teacher may start a class like Teaching in the Elementary School by presenting the day’s curriculum, but minutes later students are asked to project their work to classmates from their own devices.
Previously, students would load their data on a network drive, bring up a thumb drive, or switch a cable to connect a laptop. Today, with BrightLink, they can wirelessly project work directly from their laptops, or display content from their tablet or smartphone using the Epson iProjection app. A teacher and student can make notes on, or interact with, the projected images at the same time using the two interactive pens.
Impact on Learning
The BrightLink 475Wi uses 3LCD, 3-chip technology for brilliant images and true-to-life color, with 2600 lumens of color brightness (color light output)* and 2600 lumens of white brightness (white light output)*. BrightLink includes HDMI connectivity, a built-in 16 W speaker and microphone jack, and wall or table mounting options.
Ball State University's Teachers College has a reputation for producing teachers who are well prepared for the classroom. “We are doing everything in our power to make an impact on learning with the technologies we feel are also cutting edge for the K-12 environment,” said Modesitt. The Epson BrightLink projector is energizing Ball State's education students and preparing them for the advanced instructional technology of their future classrooms.
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* Color brightness (color light output) and white brightness (white light output) will vary depending on usage conditions. Color light output measured in accordance with IDMS 15.4; white light output measured in accordance with ISO 21118.
Note: EPSON is a registered trademark and EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. BrightLink is a registered trademark of Epson America, Inc. All other product brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks.
