5 Ways Interactive Touchscreen LCDs Are Increasing Student Success

In classrooms these days everywhere you look you see kids with their heads down looking at their smartphones. When they get home, they go to their computer or tablet. Once it’s bedtime, they pick up their phones then lay down in bed while browsing the internet and texting their friends. The frustration of teachers and school administrators trying to enforce technology rules and keeping students engaged can sometimes make them want to pull their hair out. But what if instead of schools attempting to completely ban technology, they use it to their advantage? Many schools across the country are taking advantage of this new technologically adept generation to implement digital learning tools that enable teachers to expand their curriculum, keep students engaged, and improve collaboration.  Chalkboards and traditional whiteboards are transforming into interactive thin film transistor (TFT) LCD touch screen whiteboards. Gigantic textbooks that weigh down backpacks and pocketbooks can now be found on a student’s LCD touch screen device. Teachers can record webinars and lectures that are posted online for distance learning and to be re-watched for deeper understanding. Many teachers, parents, and students feel that education should not be completely virtual, but they also agree that today’s technology can help educate in ways that have never been possible before. Here’s what you should know about how TFT LCD technology is making education smarter, not harder. 

What is a TFT Display?

TFT stands for “Thin Film Transistor” and these transistors are used in high-quality flat-panel LCDs. This allows the electrical current that illuminates the display to be turned on and off at a faster rate and shows motion much smoother. Because TFT displays are active-matrix LCDs and greatly improve image color quality, contrast, and clarity, it is one of the most popular display technologies. The difference between active and passive matrix displays is that passive matrix displays are controlled by an intersection of two wires in the grid. Active matrix displays control each pixel through capacitors. Active matrix displays can support faster-moving content more effectively. However, passive matrix technology is typically suitable for smaller format displays. Active matrix TFT LCDs are also more cost-effective than the newer OLED technology. Both the technological and price advantages of TFT displays make them the preferred display type for classrooms.

How Interactive LCD Whiteboards Enhance the Learning Experience

Interactive whiteboards are often referred to as an electronic whiteboard or smartboard. Teachers can connect their computers to the board through an HDMI cable or AirPlay. Teachers can use the display for projecting video lessons, notes, homework, and much more! Some boards even come equipped with game-style learning applications that enhance any lesson plan. Students can interact directly with the display using a special pen or their finger. Yale University published an article that stated, “…one study found that when instructors presented content on PowerPoint and also elaborated on the content via the chalkboard, students were more active and spent more time asking questions…” This shows that smart boards are a great supplement to traditional education and are best used as an enhancement rather than a replacement.

What are the Benefits of Classrooms with Interactive LCD Smartboards?

1. 1. Larger Viewing Capabilities 
   1. Large-format LCD touch screens can help teachers cater to more student needs. Sometimes, students who sit in the back of the classroom become disconnected from the lesson plan, for various reasons, but for one being that it is difficult for them to view the whiteboard. Teachers sometimes resort to smaller writing because they are working in a confined space and don’t want to have to erase lesson notes halfway through. Small writing, combined with glare on the whiteboard from overhead lights forces students to sit on the floor closer to the board or just hope they are getting the right information. With interactive TFT displays, teachers not only have endless space to write but can zoom in to and highlight important notes. This ensures the display is comfortably seen by everyone. The LCD displays can also appeal to visual and auditory learners by displaying video and multimedia content. Students with special needs can benefit from integrated assistive features like text to speech, speech to text, captions, and much more! Unlike traditional whiteboards that are fixed to the wall, smart boards can be installed on ADA-compliant lifts that provide adjustable height and tilt angles. Interactive TFT LCD displays are the key to reaching EVERY student!

1. 2. Collaboration 
   1. By promoting active learning and collaboration students are more likely to be engaged and better retain information. Interactive displays have the ability to host software, such as educational games, where students can interact directly on the screen or from their seats with their smart devices. Smartboards can display notes, videos, graphs, and more all at once so students can brainstorm and manipulate on-screen content as a team. As they are working out solutions in real-time, the display size and readability enables them to receive feedback from the entire class. When it’s difficult for a student to explain their ideas in words, they can draw them out on the board and pull up supporting material. Teachers have also utilized classroom LCD displays to gain classroom feedback and answer questions. Students can submit questions anonymously from their seats, get helpful answers from both their teacher and peers and not feel embarrassed or singled out. Collaboration skills are critical employment skills that employers expect. Many students are unable to grow this skill through traditional education. LCD whiteboards can help promote a hands-on learning environment where everyone is involved. 

1. 3. Engagement 
   1. The average student attention span is 10-15 minutes, and as the students get younger, that time frame only gets smaller. Traditional whiteboards lack the dynamics it takes to keep students actively engaged. TFT LCD displays produce a range of colors and hues and support moving graphics that all help increase curiosity, active listening, and attention span. When teachers are able to quickly flip through supplemental education materials, students are not stuck focusing on one thing for too long. Interactive displays increase motivation throughout every level of education. Studies show that students in classrooms with interactive whiteboards had increased achievement as well as participation. They were also able to engage with and focus on lessons for longer periods. It’s easy for students to get side-tracked, but with dynamic TFT displays, students are more likely to take more away from each lesson.

1. 4. Implementation
   1. Interactive touch screen displays are all-in-one solutions. Most just require an outlet and internet connection. Your school’s maintenance and IT teams do not have to spend hours mounting projectors to the ceilings, screens to the walls, and making sure lengthy cords are tucked away to create a safe environment. Interactive whiteboards are easy and simple to implement into any classroom and have the capability to be shared between multiple rooms. Maintenance for these displays is virtually non-existent. By lessening the headache of installing complicated projection devices that oftentimes require IT support, you can cut down on related costs. The benefits of outfitting your school with TFT LCD interactive whiteboards include:

• • • Easy installation
    • No replacing bulbs or filters
    • All-in-one solution
    • Increased reliability 
    • Increased life-span
    • Lower energy consumption
    • Optional cart mount for sharing 
    • Reduced maintenance costs

1. 5. Easy to Use
   1. Interactive whiteboards are often perceived as simple big-screen TVs. This makes teachers feel more comfortable using the new technology and simplifies the user experience. Teachers and students can write on them just like traditional whiteboards, but instead of using various dried out markers, they can use one digital pen or even their finger. Operating an LCD touch display has a similar feel to operating a personal tablet but on a larger scale. IT departments can provide brief overview training on how to utilize the boards, and from there most teachers feel comfortable exploring additional features on their own. Some interactive whiteboard manufacturers also offer their own training and guides on how to use the display. Interactive displays have many benefits over traditional projectors for teachers including:

• • • Maximum teaching time without having to worry about tech issues
    • Uninterrupted lesson time
    • Increased viewability 
    • Quiet learning environment when needed; fan-free operation
    • Bright LED backlighting allowing the classroom lights to be kept on so students can still see what they are writing 
    • Resource sharing 

Conclusion:

 In conclusion, TFT LCD touch displays provide extensive benefits for students, teachers, and administrative teams. Implementing interactive whiteboards into your schools can increase classroom inclusion, as well as, student collaboration and engagement. They are also easy to implement and utilize. LCD displays are the key traditional education enhancement that will increase student success and provide greater classroom management for teachers. TFT displays come with many enhancements including but not limited to:

• All Light Readability
• Wide Temperature
• Wide Viewing Cone
• Wide Aspect Ratio
• Large Format
• Specialty Format

About E3 Displays:

When it comes to education, E3 Displays understands the importance of high-value dependable tools. This is why we help you create custom display solutions that fit all of your needs while excluding unnecessary features. This ensures you are gaining maximum value for your investment for years to come.  E3 Displays has everything you need to develop and manufacture your custom touch display all in one place. With customer-centric solutions featuring strategic planning, competitive pricing, longevity, and support, we ensure the best products on the market to help you scale.