Monday, October 20, 2008

Casita Center For Science, Technology, and Math Implements Hitachi StarBoards To Take Learning To A Higher Level

-- Casita Center, A California Magnet Elementary School, Has Successfully Created A Fully Integrated Curriculum Using Interactive Whiteboards --

In an effort to provide the best possible learning experience in math and science, the Casita Center has integrated Hitachi StarBoards into classes at the elementary level. Sold through Troxell Communications, Casita has installed Hitachi FXDUO77 interactive whiteboards, as well as Hitachi 3LCD digital projectors CP-X200, CP-X201 and CP-X251 series.

The Vista Unified School District founded Casita Center for Technology, Science, and Math as a magnet school in 1992. As a magnet school, they create new and exciting ways for children to learn and for teachers to teach, in addition to offering an expanded learning experience with a special focus on technology, science and mathematics.

Casita educators have made it their goal to effectively implement the StarBoards into their everyday lessons. “It’s not enough to just have the technology, you need to seek out the content to maximize its potential as an educational tool. Hitachi’s interactive whiteboard content also provides content that I can immediately utilize as part of a lesson plan,” stated science teacher Jamie Hagen-Holt. “In fact, a key priority is to ensure that lessons being taught on the Hitachi StarBoard coincide with physical demonstration students can see, this is the most powerful way to maximize the learning experience.”

Additionally, Hitachi StarBoard’s durability have also proven to be a major selling point for the Casita School. “We knew that if this board was going to be in an elementary school classroom, it needed to be durable,” stated district technology coordinator Scott Hill. Being that the Hitachi board itself contains no electronics, we knew it would be best suited to hold up in this environment.”

Another major factor in selecting Hitachi whiteboards for Casita was due to its large screen. “When you’re dealing with a classroom full of elementary school age students, the size of the screen is crucial. They need to be able to see the detail of everything that is being displayed. While this might not be considered a significant technology feature, for educators it is extremely important,” stated math teacher Sue Ritchie.

Since implementing the Hitachi whiteboards, the teachers have embraced them and enjoyed the new creativity it allows them to bring to their teaching. Our goal is ensure that we have a StarBoard in every classroom,” said Mr. Hill. “We need to make sure we are giving all of our students the same opportunities to enhance their education using the latest in technology.”

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