Whiteboard Planning Guide
Use this article to help plan your interactive whiteboard's installation, and to ensure that you make the most of your whiteboard. 

Find out more about preparing for your installation, positioning the whiteboard in the classroom, connecting and maintaining the equipment and training to enable teachers to make the most of the whiteboard.

This guide offers advice on the planning required before your Whole-Class Teaching Solution Installation and tips for using the interactive whiteboard.  The guide should be used by those responsible for planning the equipment installation, as well as the teachers who will be using the whiteboards.  You may like to print this document out for reference.

Interactive whole-class teaching technology is a key way to deliver innovative and motivational lessons that really engage pupils and appeal to a range of sensory learning styles.  Interactive whiteboards give you the power of a computer, while allowing you to drive the lesson from right in front of the class.  The technologies can facilitate more cohesive and participative learning, encouraging pupils to become more involved in the lesson by answering questions or demonstrating their understanding and methodology to the class.

After reading this document you should be able to:

• effectively prepare for your Installation day
• connect the equipment and switch it on
• understand the software required
• get started using the board and software
• understand the maintenance tasks
• recognise some basic troubleshooting techniques

RM will appoint a Project Coordinator to help manage your Installation.  As part of the coordination process you will be sent several documents.  It is essential that you take time to read this documentation, consider the implications, and return these completed, to ensure that your Installation is a success.

Please contact your RM Installations Project Coordinator if you have any queries.

Which of the following have you considered?  Some items to think about:

• Health and safety issues, e.g. presence of Asbestos.
• The quantity required and positioning of electrical sockets.
• Seek input from key users, e.g. individual classroom teachers.
• Availability and access to classrooms during your installation.
• The positioning and height of the whiteboard and projector.
• The positioning of the computer.
• Lighting levels within the room.

Before making any decisions please read the documents linked at the end of this document:
'Advice on Positioning an Interactive Whiteboard and Planning your Installation'
'Health and Safety Guidance for Interactive Whiteboards and Projectors'

Once the equipment has arrived, check that all the items ordered have been delivered and are intact.

• Ensure that all the equipment is moved to the required room.
• Retain all the documentation and packaging.
• Record all the equipment serial numbers, as they are not easily accessible after installation.
• Familiarise yourself with the Customer Acceptance Document.
• Consider the time and training that teachers and Learning Support Assistants will need to learn how to use the board.

Any equipment that appears to be damaged must be reported to your RM Installations Project Coordinator before your Installation day.

For the Installation to go smoothly there are a number of points to think about.   Which of the following have you already considered?  You should consider all these points:

• That a stand-alone computer is available and working correctly.
• That each room is free from disruption for the duration of the installation.  i.e. no decorating or other activity taking place.
• That the single point of contact is on hand throughout your Installation to answer any questions or concerns raised.
• Making time for the engineers at the start of the installation.
• That there are enough power sockets available for the engineer to use.

The single point of contact in your school must be available at the end of the Installation to:

• Ensure that the installation is completed satisfactorily.
• Agree the equipment is in working order.  
• Complete the Customer Acceptance Document.
• Feed back to the RM Installations Project Coordinator immediately should you have any concerns.

For the equipment to work properly, it is important that it is correctly and securely cabled together.  Your interactive whiteboard solution may include a switch that enables you to change between different computers projected. You may also have a video splitter to allow the computer's image to appear on a monitor whilst also being projected.

For whiteboard specific connections and additional equipment, such as audio, see the link at the end of this document:
'How to connect your interactive whiteboard, projector and computer'.

Connecting a whiteboard, projector and computer

There are essentially two different types of interactive whiteboard:

1. A 'soft' board which is touch-sensitive allowing it to be operated with the use of the finger or a stylus.  The SMART Board is a touch-sensitive, or resistive board.
2. A 'hard' board with a solid surface where a pen (often battery powered) is used on the board.  The RM ClassBoard is a hard surface board.

The board specific driver software enables the computer to interpret the signal received when you move the cursor using the whiteboard.  This driver software must be installed on the computer for you to be able to use the board to move the cursor.

• InterWrite is the driver software for the RM ClassBoard
• The SMART Board Software is the driver software for the SMART Board.

Easiteach is RM's recommended whiteboard functional software.  It is designed especially to support teaching and learning within educational institutions.  Easiteach combines a powerful content authoring environment with an easy-to-use interface specifically for interactive whiteboards.  It can be used with any interactive technology, and teaching screens can even be created away from the board, then brought into the classroom or shared with other teachers. See the link at the end of this document for more information:
'How to install Easiteach'.

If you are using a laptop and the image is not projected, you will need to press the Function (Fn) button on the keyboard, along with the appropriate F key (often F5 or F8) to send the image to the projector.  For more information about resolving images not being projected, see the link at the end of this document:
'Projector Troubleshooting'.

• On a touch-sensitive whiteboard you move the cursor using your finger, so take care to use only one finger and not to lean on the board.
• On a hard-surfaced whiteboard a pen is used to move the cursor.  The pen may be battery powered, so check that the battery is working before you start.
• Standing to the side of the board while facing the class minimises the effect of the projector glare on your eyes.  This also gives the class a clear view of the board, and reduces shadow from the projector.
• For a right-handed person, standing to the right of the board when writing means your back is not turned on the class.

It is important to consider health and safety aspects when using the whiteboard and projector:

• Ensure there is clear access to the board and that gangways are clear of bags.
• Never look directly into the projector beam as this may damage the eyes.  Students should be supervised when the projector is in use.

See the link at the end of this document:
'RM Health and Safety Guidance for Interactive Whiteboards and Projectors'.

Maintenance of the equipment is important to ensure it continues to work efficiently.  Some of the maintenance tasks you must consider:

• The projector's air filters should be cleaned regularly.  Most manufacturers recommend they are cleaned on a monthly basis.
• To clean the board surface use the cleaning solution recommended by manufacturers.
• Maintain a dust-free environment for the projector.  For example, remove the projector, if building work is taking place.
• Keep valuable items, such as the projector remote control and whiteboard pens, in a safe place.

Please refer to the manufacturer's manuals for their recommendations and instructions.  Replacement items and consumables, such as pens and cables, are available to purchase from RM at www.rm.com

For more information, see the links at the end of this document:
'Projector Troubleshooting and Maintenance Advice'
'Health and Safety Guidance for Interactive Whiteboards and Projectors'

• Nominated member of staff
• The caretaker
• Network Manager
• Technician

You should ensure that one individual is responsible for all the projectors and knows how to carry out the task.  Most manufacturers recommend that the projector filters are cleaned on a monthly basis.  Refer to the projector's manual for recommendations and instructions.

If the equipment does not seem to be working properly there are some quick diagnostic steps you can run through:

• Check that the equipment is cabled up correctly
• Check that all the equipment is powered and switched on
• Check the equipment LEDs or indicator lights
• Reboot the computer, to reset the driver software and redetect the board and projector
• Try a different computer to locate the problem

These steps often resolve the problem easily, but if you still experience issues, you should see the link at the end of this document:
'Troubleshooting your Interactive Whiteboard'.

• Check that the board is cabled to the correct computer
• Check that the board is switched on (if applicable)
• Check the pen battery (if applicable)
• Check the board driver software is installed and running on the computer.
• Check that the correct computer is projected
• Check that the projector 'freeze' image option on the projector is not on
• Reboot the computer
• Try a different computer

For diagnostic steps please see the the link at the end of this document:
'Troubleshooting your Interactive Whiteboard'.

• Check that the projector and computer are cabled up correctly and switched on
• Check the projector indicator lights, and consult the projector manual if necessary
• If using a laptop, press Function (Fn) button on the keyboard, along with the appropriate F key
• Check the 'Source' option on the projector
• Reboot the computer
• Try it on a different computer

For diagnostic steps please see the the link at the end of this document:
'Projector Troubleshooting'.

You may need further assistance if you still experience difficulties after following the troubleshooting documentation. Please check the following points before contacting RM Support:

• All the equipment serial numbers are at hand
• The manufacturer information is available
• You are close to the equipment
• You are able describe the symptoms of the problem and the troubleshooting steps you have carried out
• You have time to carry out the diagnostic steps that RM Support may recommend to narrow down the issue

You can log an RM Support call using Support Online at www.rm.com/support or by telephone by calling 0845 404 0000.