By New Education Solutions
New hardware, software and applications enhance collaborative learning spaces
CALGARY, Alberta --- January 28, 2013 --- SMART Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: SMT) (TSX: SMA), a leading provider of collaboration solutions, announces the release of several new products designed to help students and educators transform learning with collaboration. The solutions include a new model of the SMART Document Camera™, SMART Notebook™ Web*, XC add-on for SMART Notebook™ collaborative learning software along with interactive widgets and premium content from the SMART Exchange™ website, and a new version of Bridgit® conferencing software. These education solutions help teachers engage students with active participation while maintaining a dynamic balance between whole-class, small group and individual learning.
SMART Document Camera 450
The SMART Document Camera 450 allows educators and students to record high-definition video and audio, enabling them to capture live demonstrations and student presentations for future use and reference. It also supports mixed reality which allows for the interaction and manipulation of 3D content, affording educators engaging ways to reach students of all learning styles while teaching complex and abstract concepts. With one-button access in SMART Notebook software, the SMART Document Camera 450 effortlessly integrates with existing education solutions including SMART Board® interactive displays, the SMART Table® collaborative learning center and the LightRaise™ interactive projector. For more information on the SMART Document Camera 450, visit smarttech.com/doccam.
View images of the SMART Document Camera 450.
SMART Notebook Web*
SMART Notebook Web*, a web-based version of SMART Notebook software, enables teaching and learning anywhere using any mobile device with an Internet connection. By offering many of the SMART Notebook features, it complements the full desktop version of SMART Notebook software by providing smooth transitions between whole-class instruction to individual and small group learning and allows students and educators to collaborate and personalize learning. A beta version of SMART Notebook Web* will be available in February 2013 at smartnotebook.com for users to provide feedback on product features.
XC add-on for SMART Notebook software
The XC add-on for SMART Notebook software brings student collaboration from mobile devices to a SMART Board interactive display. Created for the SMART Exchange by a SMART Ecosystem Network partner, Freiland, the add-on enables students to contribute to class discussions by sending text and images from their mobile devices to a SMART Notebook page for the whole class to see and explore. A beta version of the XC add-on will be available in February 2013 from the SMART Exchange online education community for users to provide feedback regarding product features and the final product name.
Interactive widgets for SMART Notebook software
Interactive widgets are mini-applications that can be added to a SMART Notebook page, enabling educators to easily add interactivity and dynamic content to lessons. A growing collection of widgets are available for download on SMART Exchange for students to use to explore concepts, develop new skills and receive feedback. The new Embed Code widget brings new functionality to SMART Notebook. With the Embed Code widget, educators can easily embed third-party interactive widgets directly within a SMART Notebook page, such as group chat for student groups to discuss projects directly from within SMART Notebook, or TeacherTube videos and mp3 players to play content directly from a SMART Notebook page.
Premium content now available on the e-commerce store on SMART Exchange (US only)
The SMART Exchange online education community is where over one million educators connect, share and download high-quality digital resources. With the launch of an e-commerce store, available now, on the US version of the SMART Exchange, educators can now purchase affordable premium content from leading education publishers and content providers including OnBoard Academics, Classroom Complete Press and EDpaX, all members of the SMART Ecosystem Network. Educators can download content and purchase premium paid content using PayPal or a credit card through a secure online checkout at exchange.smarttech.com.
Bridgit conferencing software version 4.6
Bridgit conferencing software enables students, guest speakers and teachers to connect with each other - no matter where they are - to collaborate and interact in real time as if they were face-to-face. The new version of Bridgit software provides superior video quality and enhanced collaboration with an intuitive interface and support for nine simultaneous video streams. Bridgit conferencing software version 4.6 will be available in February 2013.
"SMART is committed to providing educators and students with innovative education solutions that inspire collaboration and transform learning in ways that improve student outcomes," says Neil Currie, Director, Global Marketing - Education, SMART Technologies. "These new solutions enable collaborative classrooms to meet the needs of every learning style and engage students to become active participants in learning."
Pricing and availability
The new SMART Document Camera will be available in Q1 2013, at a suggested education list price of US$799 in the United States. The SMART Notebook Web* beta will be available in February 2013 at smartnotebook.com. The beta version of the XC add-on for SMART Notebook software and Embed Code for interactive widgets will be available in February 2013 and the e-commerce store for premium content are is available now at exchange.smarttech.com. Bridgit conferencing software version 4.6 will be available in February 2013, at a suggested education list price of US$4,799 in the United States. Customers who own a Bridgit 4.5 software license are eligible for immediate upgrade. Prices outside the United States vary by country and may include applicable taxes, duties and import costs. Information on suggested education list prices is available from authorized SMART resellers. For purchasing information, specifications and a list of authorized SMART resellers, visit smarttech.com.
About SMART Technologies
SMART Technologies Inc. is a leading provider of technology solutions that enable inspired collaboration in schools and workplaces around the world by turning group work into a highly interactive, engaging and productive experience. SMART delivers an integrated solution of hardware, software and services designed for superior performance and ease of use, and remains a world leader in interactive displays.
Reader's advisory
Certain information contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking information or statements. By their very nature, forward-looking information and statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks that predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking information and statements will not be achieved. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual results to vary materially from the forward-looking information or statements. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking information or statements. Any forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
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For more information, please contact
Laurie Long
Influencer Relations Manager
SMART Technologies Inc.
+1.403.407.5085
LaurieLong@smarttech.com
http://www.smarttech.com
© 2013 SMART Technologies. SMART Document Camera, SMART Notebook, SMART Exchange, Bridgit, SMART Board, SMART Table, LightRaise, smarttech and the SMART logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of SMART Technologies in the U.S. and/or other countries. All third-party product and company names are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Please note that SMART is written in all capital letters.
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