Interactive Screens for Schools – Buying Guide and Education Pricing
Classroom365 supplies and installs interactive screens for schools, academies and MATs across the UK. We offer education pricing, free site surveys and safe, professional installation.
We’ll help you compare SMART Boards, Clevertouch, Promethean ActivPanel, Samsung education displays and other leading brands, so you can choose the best-value option for your classrooms.
- Free site survey and quote.
- Education pricing available.
- Enhanced DBS-checked installers.
- Supply, installation and disposal of old projectors and AV equipment.
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Interactive Whiteboard for Classroom Installation Service
On-going support services for each interactive whiteboard installation are a given; we are only too happy to help. Our in-house whiteboard installers carry out all installations, and we do not outsource to third parties. We also offer out-of-warranty interactive whiteboard repair services.
A classroom interactive whiteboard is generally available in 65”, 75” or 86”. Some brands offer models with 55” interactive displays, suitable for offices. Our team has installed hundreds of interactive screens, from classrooms to meeting rooms, for schools and businesses across the UK. Each installation will involve a free site survey if necessary, as there are always considerations to evaluate. Installation safety is always our primary concern.
Digital touch screens are heavy hardware items. A Sahara Clevertouch Board weighs over 50 kg for a 75″ model. The other brands, including the SMART GX Series and Promethean ActivPanel, are similar. A SMART Board GX165 weighs 42 kg.
With the help of Classroom365, you can discover the latest interactive touch screens for classrooms that are more cost-effective, have high resolution, and have lower energy consumption. Creating content and collaboration with the latest educational technology and whiteboard software is more accessible for teachers and students than ever.
Schools pay less than retail – get a fast education quote
Retail prices are shown on product tiles – education discounts available on quote
Interactive Digital Screens for Education
In the early 2000s, the new technology was a Smartboard with a ceiling or wall-mounted projector. Our installation team installed them in schools across London from the start of the rollout. This significant change helped enhance and enable students to engage with a more intuitive learning experience in schools nationwide.
The technologies have changed, and a new interactive classroom display with speakers and, even better, a soundbar means there will be no reflections and light shining in your eyes. They also cost less than the older interactive board and projector combination, including installation costs.
Classroom365 is an accredited supplier and installer of SMART Technologies, Promethean ActivBoard, and Clevertouch IMPACT Series for education. If requested, we can also supply other brands at education prices, such as the Newline Interactive panel and the Iiyama interactive screen series.
Visiting the Bett Show reveals new interactive screens from manufacturers with similar technology and accessories, such as light pens. Many new collaboration tools and teaching resources are released every year. Some are here today but gone tomorrow, but we know the trusted brands and will advise accordingly.
Every interactive display for education is competitively priced, with free site surveys available where installation is required.
Which digital whiteboards for classrooms are most suitable?
The size and the interactive board’s visibility are essential for a classroom. A 75″ interactive screen, such as a SMART MX275 v5, would be sufficient for a regular-sized room. Of course, a bigger image is better, but the electronic whiteboard price increases with each step up in size. In a smaller space, such as a SENCO office, meeting room, or small learning group, a 55″ or 65” screen would typically be fine.
- Is the interactive display to be installed on a supporting wall? A floor support stand may be required if it is a partition wall.
- Safety is paramount on every interactive touch screen installation.
- Is a laptop or computer to be connected to the interactive display screen? Can it support HDMI, or will adapters be required?
- Is the location optimal for creating the best teaching environment? Could it be better than the existing setup?
- For schools using Google apps directly on the display, we recommend choosing EDLA-certified interactive panels.
- Will new network data cabling or electrical work be required in the installation location? All our electrical work includes NICEIC certification by our qualified electrician.
- A height-adjustable floor stand is handy for KS1 electronic whiteboards. It enables the pupils to interact with the interactive display with the panel low down and for the teacher to teach at a comfortable height.
- The best interactive displays have more powerful speakers than ever before. Look for 2 x 20W speakers; some cheap electronic whiteboards have weaker speakers and are insufficient to fill a large classroom. A soundbar or wall-mounted audio system is only sometimes required. However, they give better audio and can be considered for more “noisy” environments.
Lastly, the user experience should be considered. If teachers are used to using the SMART Notebook software, teaching staff may be reluctant to change. There can be compatibility issues with using previously saved documents. Although software packages can often be used on different screens, additional licences are sometimes required, meaning any potential hardware savings are lost.
Electronic whiteboard installations – What we do
The standard process will be as follows:
- We will prepare a quote based on your needs.
- Arrange a free site survey, if necessary, for your school or business to gather information and confirm the work required with considerations such as supporting walls and electrical work.
- We can book a free demonstration if you would like one.
- If you accept our quote, we will order the hardware and book the installation date. We can do this from 6.00 am. Installations on weekends are an option to minimise disruption for teaching staff.
- As arranged, we will install the new interactive whiteboards, cabling, and electrics as per our quotation.
- Testing and software configuration.
- Project sign-off.
If you are happy with our completed work, our invoices are sent with 30-day payment terms. If you are interested in leasing options, please visit our page on ICT leasing for schools.
Interactive Whiteboard Software for Education
The interactive whiteboard software packages, SMART Notebook and Lumio, Promethean ActivInspire and Clevertouch software all have the features necessary to enable teachers and students to collaborate, create intuitive material and share knowledge.
Teacher tools for remote control, for example, Clevershare, create new collaborative learning environments. With the most modern interactive whiteboards supporting WiFi, users can access the cloud via Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive.
When purchasing a new electronic whiteboard for a classroom, check that it has an inbuilt Android operating system. The whiteboards from Sahara AV and the SMART MX series use a bespoke operating system based on Android with their app store, which is full of helpful teaching resources.
The more affordable whiteboards, including the SMART GX Series, use a customised Android OS. A built-in OS means the interactive electronic whiteboard is still more than functional with cloud access, internet browsing and annotation software, like SMART Notebook, should the connected computer or teacher’s laptop fail.
We can help arrange training for teachers on using interactive displays, often through free supplier-led sessions. Training can support staff with classroom use, teaching materials, lesson planning and understanding the benefits of interactive whiteboards for students.
Digital Signage Installation Services
Interactive whiteboards can also be used for digital signage.
The CleverLive software is free with Clevertouch displays. An interactive whiteboard can, therefore, double up as an easy way of displaying essential notices, calendars or health and safety reminders, for example, in a staffroom or communal area.
Classroom365 offers digital signage installation services with new interactive hardware, such as from Clevertouch Technologies.
A reception area TV touch screen will look great and welcoming to visitors. If interactivity isn’t required, they are a lot cheaper, too. A Smart TV or preferably a commercial display can be connected and controlled by a dedicated desktop or laptop located elsewhere on the network. Any dedicated staff member can control what is displayed via their computer.
Our digital signage installations include these options and the simple training required to get started.
Case Study – Clevertouch Installation for a South London School
Over the Christmas holidays 2021/2022, Classroom365’s installation team managed a large ICT project involving replacing the existing projector and whiteboard configuration with a new 75″ Clevertouch board installation at Highshore School in Southwark, South East London.
In 18 classrooms, the current setup was removed, and the new interactive screens were installed with a soundbar. New HDMI cabling and floor support for 15 of the screens were required. The partition walls separating classrooms were insufficient to secure a 75″ Clevertouch IMPACT Board, and the floor supports were bolted to the floor for extra safety.
The project was completed over five days, and the school enjoyed their new interactive touch screens on the first day of term.
References for all our case studies are available upon request.
Learn more about Classroom365’s ICT installers and services, including our comprehensive range of hardware and software installation services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does an interactive touch screen cost?
Education prices start at around £1,000 to £1,500 for a 65” interactive touch screen; however, they vary considerably between brands. Significant educational discounts are available for schools.
What are two advantages of an interactive display?
Firstly, they are more reliable than projectors, requiring less maintenance and avoiding light reflection and connectivity issues. Secondly, they work without a computer.
What are the disadvantages of interactive screens?
The main disadvantage is the cost. However, with significant discounts for education, leasing options and low maintenance, the initial outlay is worth the investment.
What does a touch whiteboard do?
A touch whiteboard is an interactive display that is sensitive to input from a user, either from their finger or using interactive whiteboard pens. Usually connected to a computer, they allow annotating and interacting with multimedia files and, most often, teaching resources.
What is an example of an interactive display?
An excellent example of a modern interactive display is a SMART GX175 from SMART Technologies. Other popular brands include the Promethean ActivPanel and the Clevertouch IMPACT series from Sahara AV.
Mark Friend, BSc (Hons), is a Company Director at Classroom365 and has worked in technology for nearly 30 years. His IT career started with Rothschild Bank in Sydney, Australia, before working as a Global VPN Project Manager for the British Council. Mark has 20 years of experience in the UK education sector, helping schools integrate the latest tech into their curriculum and ICT vision.