Presented at ISTE 2012
The Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) promised a rich learning experience, but the reality of classroom use has, by in large, not lived up to its billing. An IWB has a natural bent towards “sage on stage” style teaching, and while some teachers do use it constructively, IWB use tends to reinforce a teacher transmitting information to the class. Student use of an IWB is usually very limited, and student use is limited by the logistical need to be at the front of the room.
Technology is disruptive, and the AirPlay feature between an iPad 2 or later and an AppleTV has to have IWB manufacturers concerned. Now with a sub-$200 purchase and 5 minutes of install time, any student can, from their seat, wirelessly project to the class. Collaboration flows much more freely when the presenter can change instantaneously from student to teacher and back.
Not only can the iPad replace all of the functions of an IWB, but it brings so many more options. Need a document camera? Snap a photo and on the screen it goes. Skype or FaceTime has less setup time when there’s no cords to fiddle with. Apps are released constantly, and developers are starting to add specific AirPlay features. Penultimate, for instance, has a distraction free AirPlay display so the focus is on the content, not the delivery.
HDMI to VGA Adapters
The AppleTV is primarily a home-entertainment device, and uses HDMI-out. New projectors may have HDMI inputs, but many older or more inexpensive projectors may only have VGA inputs. Thankfully, a few great adapters are available. The AppleTV is so small that often it can be mounted on the projector itself. Below are 3 recommendations.
Kanex ATV Pro – $59.95
The best option, requires no power and offers the smallest footprint, but also the most expensive.
Monoprice HDMI® to VGA & R/L Stereo Audio Converter $38.25
http://goo.gl/Vsyqx
The cheapest option, but still great quality. Audio output is RCA and it does require power.
WOWParts HDMI to VGA + audio $39.99
http://goo.gl/WfG70
Good quality. Requires power. Audio output is 3.5mm.
3 Taps is all it takes to mirror your iPad
- Double-tap the home button (or four finger swipe up if multitouch gestures are on)
- Swipe to the right.
- Select the AirPlay icon and choose mirroring for the AppleTV you wish to connect
IWB vs. AppleTV & iPad
| IWB | AppleTV+iPad | |
| Primary User | Teacher | All class members |
| Location of use | Front of classroom | Anywhere |
| Cost | $3,000+ (IWB with projector) | $960 (projector, AppleTV and iPad) |
| Upgrades after install | Occasional | Hundreds of apps released daily |
| Installation | Costly, invasive | 10 minutes, small footprint |
| Function | Interactive Whiteboard | Interactive Whiteboard, document camera, personal productivity device, eReader, and more. |
Recommended Apps
Penultimate
http://goo.gl/O12iV
Solid handwriting app with a custom clutter-free AppleTV display.$0.99
AirVideo
http://goo.gl/UPuQj
Wirelessly stream almost any video type from your computer to your appleTV.$2.99
Explain Everything
http://goo.gl/I1ztR
Easy to use, yet powerful. Offers plenty of options to export your narrated presentations.$2.99
Paper
http://goo.gl/swXJQ
Drawing app with style, fun to use and focused.Free, but all options unlock at $6.99
Splashtop Whiteboard
http://goo.gl/dxLN1
Turns your iPad and computer into an interactive whiteboard.$19.99
Tips and Tricks
- Heavily filtered or restricted networks may cause issues with AirPlay.
- Both the iPad and the AppleTV must be on the same wireless network.
- In the AppleTV settings, it’s possible to set a password to connect to AirPlay. Consider using one to limit who can project.
- Classroom management skills are needed to manage who is connecting to the AppleTV. Students can “bump” each other off the AppleTV if they try to connect when another student is connected.
The AppleTV + iPad combination is an amazing example of technology helping to amplify sound teaching concepts. With the introduction of OSX 10.8 Mountain Lion, AirPlay support will come to MacBooks and Desktops, making its use even more exciting. There are times when technology makes you feel like you’re living in the future. This combo has potential to fundamentally change the way information is exchanged in the classroom for the better. Consider giving it a try before installing or replacing another IWB.
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6-27-12 – Updated the table to reflect the fact that IWB manufacturers do update software and that hundreds of apps are released daily. Previously the table had stated that no updates are released for IWBs.
By Amanda Haddock June 27, 2012 - 7:40 pm
This article was clearly slanted away from IWBs and toward iPads, but it is pretty inaccurate in the description of how this proposed solution would work. First of all, the author proposes that students and teachers would be collaborating back and forth, but then at the end admits that this would be a challenge because basically anyone could control the projection at any time. And then there is the matter of where this content would be projected… on the wall? Because the author doesn’t allow for the cost of a projection screen in the price estimate for the Apple solution.The article also states that no updates are ever made to the IWB solution, but the two leading IWB manufacturers regularly update their software and offerings. If the author is planning to use a projector as part of the Apple solution, the set-up and installation would take more than 10 minutes, because the projector and a display surface would need to be installed – just like an IWB solution. And the cost the author associates with the Apple solution only includes ONE ipad, when clearly the example would indicate several are needed for collaboration.
Don’t get me wrong. There are some great and creative uses for the Apple TV in an educational setting, but to say that it would replace the IWB solution is inaccurate. Perhaps more research should be done before trying to educate the masses.
By Jon June 28, 2012 - 12:27 am
Amanda -
Let me answer the issues you’ve raised. First, I’d be amiss if I didn’t point out that you work for Haddock Corporation, a Promethean partner who presumably is responsible for sales and installs of IWBs throughout many states. Obviously there’s a clear financial interest that is slanting your viewpoint. In the article I stated that IWB makers are concerned about the AppleTV, and your comment proves that to be true.
On the issue that anyone could control the projector at any time, in our school, good old fashioned classroom management has solved this issue. Not once has a student taken control of the projector when they shouldn’t have. A student would have to be quite brazen to attempt such a public stunt. Misuse of that type would be a behavior issue, not a technical one, and should be dealt with as such.
We project on whiteboards in many rooms. A pull down screen would add about $80 to the AppleTV total. That’s still a long way from the cost of an IWB. On the other hand, I didn’t include the cost of a computer into the IWB cost, so we should probably add another $1,000 to that side, just to be fair.
You are correct in that updates come out for IWB software, and I’ll update the article to reflect that. Of course, there’s over 500,000 apps (and growing daily) in the iTunes app store. So there’s definitely no way the IWB software can compete with that pace of innovation.
In our situation, most classrooms already have a mounted projector. Compare the install time between adding an IWB to a room with an existing mounted projector to the install time of adding an AppleTV to the same environment.
One iPad and one AppleTV is all it takes to replicate every feature of an IWB. A teacher can pass the iPad between students. More iPads would be great, but the one iPad situation more closely matches with an IWB install.
On all of the issues you raised, the AppleTV iPad still comes out ahead. That’s not even considering the biggest benefit, which is freeing the teacher from being chained to the front of the room. By their very nature, IWBs have an inclination towards teacher directed delivery of instruction. The nature of the iPad encourages the type of teaching most experts have agreed better meets the needs of 21st Century students.
Does a tool change teaching? Absolutely not, teachers do. But which tool will better facilitate learning? That’s the question we should be asking and the comparison between these two tools is obvious.
By Amanda Haddock June 28, 2012 - 12:55 pm
Jon,
My comments prove nothing more than I think people should have all of the real facts before making a decision. Yes, we sell Promethean products, but we also sell Apple products, so I feel like I am about as impartial on this issue as you are likely to get. I didn’t bring up Promethean specifically because it wasn’t relevant to this discussion. However, I do believe Promethean’s products are superior (to both the Apple solution or other IWBs), but that wasn’t what your post was about, and I was attempting to only address the issue you raised.
To say that one iPad and one AppleTV can replicate every feature of an IWB is simply incorrect. IWBs, in their current form, can be used by multiple people at the same time. That means a student and teacher, or multiple students, could be working on the board at the same time. At best, the Apple solution would have them trading off.
As for mobility, a teacher can also integrate the use of a slate or iPad and go throughout the room and use the IWB. Granted, that comes at an additional cost, but it is possible, and you seem to imply that it is not.
Also, while it is true that there are 500,000 apps on the AppStore, they are not all educational apps. only about 13% of those have some sort of educational component, and I don’t have the stats, but I’d wager a fair number of those are aimed at the preschool set.
It sounds like you have this solution set in your mind and no amount of discussion will change your opinions. I would just encourage people who are looking into these types of solutions to do their own research about the capabilities of the various options that are available.
By M. Hatherill June 28, 2012 - 2:37 pm
Both of you seem to miss the most important point that of bringing interactive technology into schools. I am a teacher with a small private school that cannot afford IWB. I would love to have the ability of interactivity in my classroom, and if there is a low cost way to do this I am willing to try. I have a white board, projector and lap top already. The additional cost seems like it would be easier to handle for the outcome, and since it will be out of my pocket, more attainable. If either of you would like to help a struggling school bring in this technology, I am waiting to hear from you.
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By Gareth June 29, 2012 - 2:34 am
We have found the use of the AppleTV with iPads to be a great combination. The AppleTV has encouraged students to willingly project work and as you mention in your article technology is seldom a solution for good classroom management. On another issue, we have a number of IWBs which aren’t very interactive with iPads (although I’m aware that a few IWB providers have started to produce iOS apps). In a number of rooms we have also coupled the AppleTV with a TV rather than using a projector and speakers.
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By Jennie September 12, 2012 - 9:50 am
Jon,
Your article is right on and very helpful for teachers who are new to the concept of Apple TV. Thank you. I have also made the transition from traditional iWBs (I had the newest Promethean board model in 2011) over to an Apple TV. In addition I’ve supported over a dozen teachers in making this switch. In every instance, both the teachers and their students are blown away by the freedom and capability that this solution allows. Entire districts are moving towards ATVs as their interactive projection system and – as you said – often at the cost of simply one iPad and the Apple TV itself.
Thank you also for sharing information on the HDMI connectors. That is often a detail that is overlooked and in appreciate that you included it. I plan to use your article in supporting new teachers looking for a low cost and highly effective solution for their classroom.
Two app / program suggestions in return for your great article:
- Doceri – it does the job of both Explaining Everything and Splashtop with added features. The app is free and I believe the desktop software is $29. It allows for desktop annotation, screencasting and advanced video editing capabilities as you teach… And is very easy to use.
- Air Parrot: I know your article came out pre-Mountain Lion, but one issue we ran into was that many of our MacBook were too old for Airplay with ML. Air Parrot solved this issue and now teachers can project wirelessly from their computers as well. Added bonus!
Thanks again,
Jennie Magiera
By Jon September 12, 2012 - 10:24 pm
Jennie -
Thanks for the great info. I’ll definitely give Doceri a look. Sounds really interesting!
By Jon Roepke December 10, 2012 - 2:47 pm
Jon,
A new free app just launched that may be helpful here: Stage: Interactive Whiteboard and Document Camera. Belkin believes in making iPads better tools for preparing and presenting lessons in the classroom and noticed that most apps mentioned do a great job as whiteboards, but miss the interactivity of using live video functionality like a document camera. With Stage, you can use your iPad to sketch over live video of objects, student work, and other projects in real-time.
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