In an era where smart technology has reshaped education, Wilkes County Schools in North Carolina took a proactive journey to address budgetary constraints without sacrificing the learning experience of 9,000 students across its 22 schools. Teachers were utilizing projectors in tandem with interactive whiteboards,
but this two-pronged solution was cumbersome to maintain. Sharp, the school district’s longtime provider for its copier and printer fleet, recommended an AQUOS BOARD collaboration display as an all-in-one, cost-effective replacement.
Challenges
Wilkes County Schools was grappling with the escalating costs associated with its dual tech classroom solution—an interactive projector working in tandem with a whiteboard. For over 9 years, this solution was situated in hundreds of classrooms across the district, but the required maintenance and cost to replace projector lamps were becoming unsustainable over time. Moreover, managing inventory and ensuring consistent functionality across classrooms posed logistical challenges. It was time for the district to explore a budget-friendly alternative that would excel in quality.
Solutions
Sharp suggested the AQUOS BOARD collaboration display as a well-suited, all-inclusive alternative to create a more modern teaching experience. District decision makers agreed on its superior energy efficiency and performance compared to what they had in place. Moreover, educators could seamlessly utilize legacy educational applications, as well as Google Docs and Microsoft Office products, directly from the board, courtesy of the integrated Sharp open systems architecture platform.
After thorough consideration, Wilkes County Schools made the logical choice to purchase over 610 units for its classrooms throughout the district and coordinated with Sharp for strategic rollout. Initially, 20 to 30 teachers, identified as early adopters or “high flyers,” were among the first to receive training to familiarize them with the new technology. This focused approach ensured personalized support during the early stages of implementation. As these teachers gained proficiency, their experiences not only provided valuable insights for subsequent training waves but also demonstrated the AQUOS BOARD collaboration displays’ remarkable adaptability and ease of use to drive daily lessons.
Results
Not only has the district enhanced teaching experiences and student engagement, but they have also saved an estimated
$5,000 per classroom by phasing out older, lamp-based projectors, replacement lamps and labor for preventive maintenance.
Moving from a two-pronged solution to a single solution has simplified inventory management across the district. What’s more, the AQUOS BOARD collaboration displays boast an impressively low failure rate, resulting in increased uptime and reduced maintenance demands for the in-house
tech support team.
Due to its user-friendly nature, teachers quickly adapted to
the AQUOS BOARD collaboration displays. They were able to seamlessly integrate with existing educational software, so teachers could do “business” as usual. Additionally, training sessions coupled with positive experiences by early adopters instilled confidence and enthusiasm among educators, empowering them to discover new possibilities in teaching and learning. Teachers are also pleased with the boards’ exceptional brightness and clarity, which allows lessons to be conducted
in ambient lighting conditions without having to turn off the classroom lights.
Julie Triplett, Chief Technology Officer at Wilkes County Schools said, “The adoption of Sharp AQUOS BOARD collaboration displays was a game-changer for us. Not only did it streamline our operations and reduce costs, but it also empowered our teachers to deliver more dynamic and engaging lessons. The reliability and support we received from Sharp have been instrumental in our success.”
“The adoption of Sharp AQUOS BOARD collaboration displays was a game-changer for us. Not only did it streamline our operations and reduce costs, but it also empowered
our teachers to deliver more dynamic and engaging lessons.”