Opening the Floodgates

"The students are totally captivated. I’ve been a teacher for 31 years and I have never felt this connected to my students. They are more interested in learning and eager to participate. The Activboard system has opened the floodgates for teachers and students to actively engage their creative minds."

Sharon Smith, 4th grade teacher

Challenges and Goals

In 2001, the Escambia school district made the decision to combine its two smaller elementary schools - Molino and Barrineau Park - into one larger school named Molino Park Elementary.

With the opening of the new facility came the desire to assemble the most sophisticated educational technology in each classroom. Chalkboards, whiteboards and overhead projectors were the norm at the two previous schools. But the joint administrative and teaching staff of the new school wanted more. More action. More interaction.

“The teachers wanted their classrooms to come alive. They were determined to find a means to exhibit more creativity in their lessons so as to spark student interest and encourage hands-on participation,” said Alice Woodward, intern principal at Molino Park Elementary.

So Woodward took on the assignment to review and research the latest, groundbreaking educational technologies for the new school. Her research led her to take a comprehensive look at interactive whiteboards.