Interactive Flat Panels are usually Android Based displays with Muti-touch operation that can be used in classrooms, meeting rooms.
For normal class sessions like board work, displays of contents, videos etc. a windows computer may not be needed as the inbuilt Android PC is adequate. From board works to annotations, every classroom function can be performed from the IFPD itself. The contents discussed / written in a class session may be saved in the internal memory of the IFPD or may be captured in an external USB flash drive. Similarly, a presenter can carry his or her contents in a USB flash drive & display them on the IFPD surface with great ease.
Factors to be considered while selecting the right IFP for your need.
a) Should be Android 11.0 or higher version
b) Should have contrast ratio of 10,000: 1 or higher
c) Should be WIFI enabled.
d) Should have OCTA core processor, preferably A73x4 + A53x4 or Higher
e) Android PC should have 8GB RAM & 64GB ROM or higher
f) Should have Anti glare surface.
g) Metallic Body should be preferable instead of Fibre Body for robustness of design & longevity.
h) Most Important factors to be considered : Quality of Touch & Writing Experience
i) Multiple HDMI / USB / LAN ports should be available in the IFPD.
Protective Cover for the Interactive Flat Panel
In a school / college scenario, there are customized protective shutters which may protect the surface of the Interactive Flat Panel. The cover surfaces of the protective sliding shutter may be of white board / green board or any combination of the two as desired.
Available Sizes / Recommended Classroom Capacity:
65" - upto 30 students 75" - upto 50 students 86" - upto 75 students 98" - above 75 students
Choice of Windows as Operating System - Why is it necessary ?
As many educators prefer to work on Windows Platform, there is always an option to connect the IFPD with an external PC through the HDMI & USB Cable. HDMI will display the contents on to the IFPD & USB will enable the touch function.
Choice of PCs
Although one may use any desktop or Laptop, it is desirable to use a Mini PC which can be fitted behind the IFPD and one may toggle from Android OS to Windows OS & Vice versa.
Desired Specifications of the Mini PC :
Processor : i3 or i5
RAM : 8GB
SSD : 256GB or 512 GB
How can one transform the Smart Classroom to a Remote Virtual Classroom with Video Collaboration ?
Connect an external camera and the receiver of a wireless microphone to the IFPD. Using any web based conferencing platform namely Zoom, Google Meet, Teams etc. one can easily transform the classroom to a remote video collaboration class session.
a) The camera picks up the video of the presenter
b) The Wireless microphone picks up the presenter's voice
c) The contents on the Interactive Flat panel i.e. board work or annotations on any file may be shared to the remote participant LIVE through content
sharing feature of the web based collaboration platform.
How to select the perfect Camera for your remote classroom ?
a) One may use 2 nos. camera - one for the presenter & for the audience and toggle between the two as the situation demands.
b) The camera for the audience is normally placed above the Interactive Flat Panel. This camera should have a PTZ function with 10X to 12X loss less optical zoom facility to capture the audience.
c) The camera for the presenter is ideally placed at the room's backside wall or mounted from the ceiling just opposite to the IFPD. Ideally, as the presenter will be panning across the width of the class, the camera for the presenter should have a MOTION TRACKING feature, which will spot the presenter's movements & focus accordingly. This way, the remote participant would always feel like a real life class situation.
Audio for the classroom
For a standard classroom size of 50-60 audience capacity, the built-in 30 Watt speakers of the IFPD is adequate for the classroom. However, for larger classrooms, one may add 2 to 4 additional wall speakers and mount in strategic locations for uniform distribution of audio across the classroom.