Northwestern Health Sciences University, technology, SMART Podiums, classroom,

June 2, 2010 — Northwestern Health Sciences University introduced a new instructional technology to classrooms this spring called SMART Podiums. The podiums allow faculty members to simultaneously interact with media and students during lectures.

These interactive pen displays are roughly the size of a flat screen computer monitor. Content is projected electronically onto a large screen by connecting the SMART Podium to a computer and a projector. The display becomes interactive as faculty can use the electronic pen to highlight key concepts, write notes over presentations, and access websites and multimedia files.

“Faculty can interact with students and media at the same time,” said Arne Krogsveen, senior audiovisual technician at Northwestern. “It’s the best of both worlds.”

“This will save a ton of time flipping between PowerPoint presentations and the overhead projector,” said Jane Wittich, PhD, professor in basic sciences at Northwestern, as she was getting a lesson in the new technology. “It’s very efficient.”

Currently, the SMART Podium is installed in one classroom. The university will install nine additional projectors into the large podium classrooms over the summer.

“It’s important that all classrooms are identical so that faculty can feel comfortable at any site,” said Krogsveen. Over time, all of the classrooms will have this new technology installed.

Source: Northwestern Health Sciences University, www.nwhealth.edu/nwtoday/index.html