The SMART AirLiner Wireless Slate is just like having an interactive whiteboard in your hand. It lets you interact with the projected screen image from your computer, and therefore teach, from anywhere in the classroom, and your pupils to interact with the computer information from their seats.
The package comprises the AirLiner Slate, a wireless mouse, USB Bluetooth wireless connection and SMART v9.1 software. With the AirLiner slate you can interact wirelessly up to 16 metres away. The battery-free, maintenance-free tethered pen lets you control any software application, write notes and highlight information in digital ink; indeed, everything you can do on the SMART Board. Multiple slate users can even interact alternately with each other or with someone at the SMART Board at the front of the class. And the wireless mouse is just ideal for whole-class presentations.
The system is logical and quite easy to set up, and once a wireless connection has been established, that’s it. The 15cm x 20cm electromagnetic surface matches the size of any screen for accurate contact and the “slate” can take underlays (remember the Concept Keyboard?). Word has it that SMART Technologies is soon to release a number of dedicated underlays, such as for SMART Notebook software and so on. Programmable buttons on both the slate and the pen allow you to access your favourite functions and are very simple to set up. The rechargeable battery charge time is six hours and lasts around 30 hours.
I don’t have space to extol the numerous benefits of being able to roam free of the interactive whiteboard, but I can tell you that with the wireless slate you don’t really even need a SMART Board at all! And here’s the punch line: it only costs £199 excluding VAT (from which schools are exempt)! This clearly opens up huge possibilities for those schools strapped for cash yet wishing to invest in interactive technology. A projector, its installation and an AirLiner Wireless Slate will set you back roughly £1,400 as opposed to over £2,000 for a full interactive whiteboard system. However, if you do already have a SMART Board, then the benefits of the AirLiner Wireless Slate make spending the extra 199 notes well worth it.
SMART Technologies’ light-weight, sturdy gadget is a most welcome addition to a school’s interactive armoury – thoroughly recommended.
SMART AirLiner Wireless Slate
Wireless graphics tablet designed for use in whole-class presentations involving PC, projector and (optional) SMART Board interactive whiteboard
Price: £199 ex VAT
www.smartboard.co.uk
Supplier:
Bullet Point Presentations Ltd
Evolution House
34 - 36 Springwell Road
Leeds
LS12 1AW
Tel: 0845 606 7600
Fax: 0845 606 7601
E-mail: enquiries@bullet-point.co.uk
www.innovativetechnology.co.uk
