Mimio's MimioTeach plus Mobile

As someone who has worked in educational technology for quite a bit of time, I've seen the idea of "smart boards" evolve from big, heavy, prohibitively-expensive boards that required tethered pens and hard wired serial cable connection to today's less expensive, lighter and wireless options.  However, over that time a few things have become clear about the technology.  First and foremost is that teachers love it when they know how to use it, but beyond two a big issues are placement and supplies!  The board location is great for one teacher, but the other one hates it... and those darned pens!  They keep breaking or disappearing!  I've worked at schools where a smart board pen is more valuable than access to good coffee -- and that's saying something!

One of the products that seeks to rectify those two issue is made by a company called Mimio.  Mimio has several products, but the one that I have used most often is the Mimio Teach.  While this particular product does not solve the pen issue (they do have products that address this), it is magnetic -- which makes it highly portable!  You can move it on any surface that is metallic at all (yes, that includes standard marker-based white boards), and all you need to do it point a projector at it and calibrate.  They can be wireless to your computer -- so no tethering based on computer location is not necessary, and they work with a myriad of software (not just Mimio's).  And the last selling point I'll mention, and perhaps most important to some, is the cost.  You can get 2-3 Mimio Teach setups for the cost of one good interactive white board.  That means more interactivity and training for your buck!  

But, my post today isn't really about that.  It is about the wonderful infographic that Mimio recently released regarding the increase and trends of mobile device use in education.  How does this tie into interactive classroom technology?  In every way!  The increase in mobility has a direct impact on how we think about and use things like interactive whiteboards and other similar technologies.

So -- take a look and enjoy!

~~~~
Bruce has worked in educational technology for over 17 years and has implemented several 1:1/BYOD programs.  He also has been a classroom teacher for various subjects.  Bruce is the author of five books: Sands of Time, Towering Pines Volume One:Room 509, The Star of Christmas, Philadelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel and The Insider's Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel.  He also has a new novel coming out in June 2014, The Kill Commission.  Follow Bruce's Novel releases by subscribing to his FREE newsletter!