The township school district of Parsipanny, New Jersey is investing in new computer technology to install interactive projectors in all its classrooms, the Star-Ledger reports.
Using part of a $1.6 million grant from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the school district plans to install the a new classroom projector in all 450 classrooms to engage students with a more hands-on approach to learning, the paper stated.
The interactive projector displays images from a computer onto a dry-erase board. Students can then manipulate the images using a porcelain-tipped, infrared pen that connects the projector with the computer.
Educators have found connecting interactive technology, such as a classroom computer or digital computer, to an HD-TV, LED monitor or mercury-free HDMI projector can create an engaging atmosphere where students are more excited to participate in lessons.
“It appears that [interactive projectors] are being used as an effective tool in the classroom,” said Frank Belluscio, director of communications for the New Jersey School Board Association. “In this day and age, it’s all the challenge to engage the kids.”
