We are living in a time when we can tap, scroll, and swipe through information in a matter of seconds. Decisions can be made easily on our devices – phones, PCs, even large displays that are touch-capable. In more and more classrooms, teachers are moving from throw projectors and whiteboards to interactive displays (also known as interactive flat panel displays, interactive panels, interactive touchscreens, and smart boards) to boost overall engagement in lessons. Just what is an interactive display?  

Basically, an interactive display is a ‘huge tablet’ that offers teachers and students dynamic opportunities to access instruction in a manner already familiar to many. If a user is already accustomed to using their finger as a selection and writing tool, then an interactive display is an advanced and versatile step up! Some may question whether the investment in this technology is worth it. Let’s look at 10 features that all educators should review before deciding. 

Top 10 Features of an Interactive Display 

1. Screen display quality – Many interactive displays are designed with ultra-high-definition 4K resolution which produces a clear picture. The screen can also be viewed from a distance, and at different angles, helping students see lesson content from just about anywhere in the classroom. Some brands ensure that the screen’s surface is made of low-glare glass to maximize screen clarity. 
2. Touch capability – The touchscreen experience should not only feel familiar but natural, meaning that users can annotate, highlight, move objects, and write smoothly and without drag. Many popular interactive displays allow for 20-point touch or 10 dual-touch capabilities and gestures. In addition, the screen can recognize stylus, finger, and palm touch allowing for a wider range of activities and uses. 
3. Compatible operating systems – To promote use, many interactive displays are compatible with the most popular operating systems such as Android, Windows, or macOS. This eliminates the need for a PC connection and users can access content directly from the display screen.  
4. Easy set-up and use - Newer models of interactive displays can be used straight out of the box, eliminating a long checklist of things to do such as sorting through cables, connecting PCs, and calibrating projectors. Simple set-up also means using built-in software and apps right away. This brings us to ... 
5. Turnkey solution – A truly innovative and modern interactive display is a complete turnkey solution that comes with classroom software and learning apps. For many displays, the software is designed to allow teachers to create interactive lessons and activities that include multiple question types, posing questions on the fly to quickly gauge student understanding, and incorporating various media such as images, videos, and slide presentations. These displays can also come with learning apps that cover a wide range of topics and subjects to reinforce what is being taught. 
   
6. Collaboration features - Some interactive displays can sync with cloud accounts to allow users to work from any location, at any time. In cases where a school team can’t meet physically, members can still share, collaborate on, and save content to the cloud. For students learning remotely, screen mirroring software allows them to actively participate in the lessons using their devices. 
7. Cost-efficient – Interactive displays don’t require bulbs like projectors, which saves that cost as well as the maintenance that might require. In addition, if the display comes with dynamic classroom software and a wide selection of learning apps, then the need to print worksheets is decreased. 
8. Security - Quite a few interactive display brands ensure the safety of users by including options for all displays in the school or district to be managed centrally by the IT Team and/or Administration. This also allows IT to monitor each display, send messages, as well as facilitate the protection of sensitive data. 
9. Portability - Unlike interactive whiteboards or projectors, interactive displays can be mounted on walls or on carts that can be moved from location to location. If a school can only invest in a few displays versus one per room, then classes can share the cutting-edge technology and students won’t feel like they’re missing out. 
10. Includes training - Most interactive display brands and/or distributors will offer free training to help teachers get up and running with this modern technology right away. Training usually includes the basics such as annotation tools, how to download and use software and apps, and ways to access resources and materials from the cloud or internet. 

If we really dig into different company interactive displays, we can probably find additional features such as accessibility tools, screen capture and record, and proximity sensors to automatically power off displays when no one is in the room. It is exciting to discover how much more teachers and students can do with an interactive display, especially during a time of increased innovation in many areas of technology. 

In the next article of this series on interactive displays, we’ll explore the benefits of using interactive displays for teaching and learning. Until then, read these successful case studies on how interactive displays increased student engagement in the classroom: A Rapidly Growing District is Finding Success with Boxlight Technology and Cutting Edge Technology Spark Engagement for Science Students. 

To learn more about Boxlight educational technology solutions, including the ProColor interactive display, go to boxlight.com.