IBM beats HP and Dell to the roll-call

Peter Dinham
Sunday, 10 May 2009 14:17

IT Industry - Deals

According to Suresh, teaching and operational staff anywhere in the College are presented with an accurate record of where a student is at any particular time, and “in the event of an emergency, this data allows the whole senior school evacuation list to be printed within three minutes of an evacuation alarm.”

Suresh says the college prides itself on its innovative use of technology to enhance all aspects of curriculum delivery, student engagement and operational efficiency of the College," and, he adds, "the classroom kiosks have been enthusiastically embraced by both staff and students and IBM has delivered a solution that is both simple and robust to survive the rigors of school life."

The College plans to add further functionalities to the classroom kiosks which, Suresh says, will include smart room control for efficiency and environmental friendly classrooms, and emergency notification and location based evacuation route displayed on the screen.
 
Suresh says the room control module will allow a one touch management of audio visual equipment like data projector, DVD player and TV, and when the teacher leaves the room, a one touch action will switch off the air-conditioner, fans and lights.

With installation of the emergency notification and location system, Suresh says centralised announcements will be displayed on the classroom screen for emergencies like a lock-down, and the security of the room will be enhanced by a centralised room security system manageable through the touch screen.

IBM’s business unit executive, Darren Gossling, says “this is a terrific example of an idea that is both smart and simple,” adding that, to IBM’s knowledge, “Pymble Ladies’ College’s classroom student roll call system is a first of a kind in Australia and is a wonderful showcase of applying innovative technology for the 21st century classroom.”