Setting up your new uBoard - part 1

All new pieces of technology have a learning curve to getting the best out of them. uBoard is no different and it pays to have a clear idea of what you are trying to do before beginning.
This short video shows the setup of a usb uBoard (the wireless uBoard is the same except there is obviously no usb cable between your computer and the receiver unit on the whiteboard).

Keeping up to date - MINT software updates

One of the great things about uBoards is that the makers are constantly refining and adding features to their software. The latest version is 4.2.1.0101 You can check whether you are up to date by clicking on the MINT Control icon on your desktop. If you see a different version you should click on the "Update" button while connected to the internet.
Once the updates are downloaded, you can select the "Release notes" tab to see what new functions have been added.

Some of the recent updates include:

• Being able to assign functions to the pen buttons.
• Chinese language now supported.
• You can turn off the 'hover' on the cursor.
• Better calibration.
• Web cams are now supported.
• Etc.

Keeping your interactive whiteboard interactive!

This post relates to a couple of earlier ones giving advice on how to install your data projector. See here. A lot of teachers receive an interactive whiteboard setup without really having a clear vision about how it can be used with their students. It can simply end up as an expensive way of doing the same type of 'chalk and talk' teaching that could be done on a standard board. If you want to give your students the full benefit of the possibilities of an interactive board, you need to make sure that they can physically access it. The earlier posts about mounting the data projector talk about putting the image at an accessible height and making sure that it is not too big. The actual optimal positioning depends on the age of your students and the type of teaching you plan to do. We think there are two main setups for school aged students.

Small group setup: How do teachers of early school age students teach? Well, they don't sit them all at desks a long way from the teacher and lecture them! They generally have them sitting on the floor in small groups, close to the action. Having a large, fixed board a metre from the floor, is probably not a useful solution. A much better, more interactive option, would be to have large LCD screen (cheaper than a projector in many cases), mounted down low where the students can both see it and reach all points of the screen. A uBoard unit, which is only 20cm long and slim, mounted to a 40" LCD TV may be an inexpensive and very effective solution. In practice, schools who use this setup may want to fit a thin sheet of clear acrylic over the screen to protect it from enthusiastic little hands. We'll cover the second main setup type in our next post

uBoard and the new MS tablet maths function

The latest version of Microsoft tablet software built into Windows 7, does more than just convert handwriting to text. One very useful enhancement is the new math input panel. To quote Microsoft, "At last, you can take notes on your tablet in algebra class: the new Math Input Panel recognizes handwritten math expressions. Once your equation is recognized, you can insert it into a word-processing or computational program."










This is a break through function and very handy in senior mathematics classes.

Portable Interactive Whiteboard

One of the greatest advantages of the new generation of interactive boards is their sheer portability and lack of need for specialists to install.

The uBoard receiver is just 22cm long (8.5inches).

It attaches to a standard whiteboard, or wall, by sticking magnetically to a small metal plate which is stuck on first. Mounting, or dismounting the receiver takes only moments - contrast this to the older technology which requires tradesmen to attach and hook up the necessary power cables and mounting points.

MINT software functions

At a basic level, the MINT software allows you to write over the top of any images / programmes that you have running on your computer. The writing, and image it relates to, can be saved for later use - a major advantage of interactive whiteboards in general!

As a standard writing (annotating) tool, MINT is easy to use and intuitive for teachers and students. (It is worth mentioning that the pen itself is smaller than most competitors - around the size of a normal whiteboard pen - and better matches the size of students hands.) The screenshot shows 5 basic colour choices on the left with the option of a full colour palette below.

On the right are 6 size choices from 10pt to 200pt - because the pen is so good, you actually can take advantage of the smallest size for fine work.

The top row in the middle contains pen mode, highlighter mode, and ink mode. The middle row starts with rubber options(choose the size), then erase all, and finally a smart tool where you roughly draw a shape and the software makes it perfect (this is only active on Vista and Win 7 computers).

The bottom row starts with the coloured button that lets you switch between the MINT programme and simply having the pen operate as a mouse. The middle button expands the toolbar to show more functions, and the last button shuts down the programme.

(We have a fullcopy of the software manual under 'Support' on our website - http://www.3pinteract.co.nz/) .

Part 2 - Some advantages of the uBoard interactive whiteboard

The second reason that uBoard is outstanding value is performance.

The uBoard receiver contains a dedicated ASIC chip which takes the load off your computer and means that there is very little lag when writing or performing functions.
The pen operates with high accuracy which really helps when trying to write/draw intricate shapes. The system is also very resistant to interference due to the built in sampling software.

Despite the small size of the receiving unit (22cms long), it can read an image up to 3m diagonally. This is larger than needed for most classrooms/meeting rooms.

The pen is recognised as a native HID pen device in Microsoft Windows which means you have full control of the excellent Microsoft tablet functions (in Vista and Windows 7).

Part 1 - Some Advantages of the uBoard interactive whiteboard

Quality, performance, features, and price are the reasons we truly believe uBoard is the best value interactive whiteboard available.

Lets start with quality.
Experience: The manufacturers have nearly ten years experience in this type of technology and have 22 patents / pending patents involved with the product.
Quality: It is made in South Korea in the designer's factory rather than being cheaply made in a low labour cost country. This means that quality control is excellent and uBoard is durable enough to survive in hard use settings like classrooms. It also means that factory support is available and allows us to offer a 2 years warranty with confidence.
Every aspect of the product reflects this committment to quality. When you open the box you will find each component carefully and securely positioned.





The inner box itself is an attractive way to transport the system and closes securely with a magnetic latch.

Best value interactive whiteboard on the market

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  Our new product is called uBoard and is set to become the solution of choice for people looking for a top quality, top value interactive whiteboard.
  We are almost at the point of releasing full specifications, but can share the following now:
  
  No installation cost (it simply attaches to the whiteboard or wall with a magnet system).
• No software installation necessary (that's right, you won't have to battle with administrators)
• Extremely portable (receiver is only 22cms/8.5inches long)
• Handles large screens (up to 3m/120inches diagonally)
• True plug and play (simply plug in the usb cable (wired model) or wireless dongle(wireless model)
• State of the art technology (the manufacturer has specialised in this technology for over 8 years and has 22 different patents/ patent applications)
• Fully featured software (including annotation tools, flipchart, image galleries - you name it)
• Best handwriting (writing with this system is the best we have experienced at any price)

Best value (we are going to launch the product at a price that is approximately half of the latest model Mimio - a product that uBoard competes with head to head on features)

If you want to know more, or require a quote before we officially launch, please email us at 3pi@3pinteract.co.nz You will be impressed with this product!