There is a range of technology available that can make whole class teaching a more interactive and motivating experience. Different solutions suit different school budgets - it needn't be difficult or expensive to get started. Some of the solutions may be in your school already.

Easiteach can be used with any of the following whole class teaching technologies:

• Interactive whiteboards
• Plasma boards
• Mimio
• LCD projector and screen
• Extra-large monitor
• Large screen TV connected to a PC

To enquire about any of these products, e-mail salesdesk@rm.com

Interactive whiteboards

This is a large rigid board that looks like an ordinary whiteboard. The board is connected to a PC and an LCD projector so that the PC screen can be projected onto the surface of the board.

With some interactive whiteboards a special electronic pen is used on the surface, to write and control software. Other interactive whiteboards respond to pressure from your fingertip. Using either one of these methods, you can do everything you would do with a mouse. Easiteach was designed especially for use in this whole class, teacher-led environment. Any commonly available make of interactive whiteboard is compatible with Easiteach.

Plasma boards

These are similar to interactive whiteboards, except that plasma boards do not need an LCD projector. This means that plasma boards have an outstanding image quality.

Mimio

Mimio quickly turns any whiteboard into an interactive whiteboard. Using an LCD projector so that the PC screen is projected onto the board's surface, you can use Mimio's technology to use the board in a fully interactive way. A "capture bar" is fitted to any existing dry-erase whiteboard, and the Mimio software and special stylus records your mouse movement and control. Mimio is ideal for whole class teaching, as it adapts to an existing resource in the classroom and is light and portable.

LCD projector and screen

Schools with an LCD projector and screen already can use this as an interactive whole class teaching resource, with the help of a graphics tablet or infra-red keyboard to allow the teacher and pupils to control software or input text remotely.

Extra-large monitors (29" +) and remote keyboards

When used with remote keyboards and graphics tablets, extra-large monitors allow the teacher and pupils to interact with Easiteach. Passing around a remote keyboard or graphics tablet allows pupils to share their ideas and become more actively involved in the lesson.

Large screen TVs (28" +)

When plugged into a desktop or notebook PC, these work in exactly the same way as extra large monitors. They provide a whole class visual display that the teacher and pupils can interact with using remote input devices.