How SMART Board Mini Enhances Hybrid Learning

The hybrid classroom experience was not on my radar when I was in college. But many of the same learning challenges from back then still exist today on hybrid campuses. 

I was always moving from one classroom to the next. In each space, I either needed a notebook or my laptop. If you didn’t have one or the other to take notes, you weren’t going to remember what happened in class. 

My professors, on the other hand, often struggled to find a place to plug in laptops and manage multiple cords and remotes. 

In addition to varying setups, there was really no way to ensure that every student was engaged. Even in small spaces, professors often had to turn their back to the class to write a message on the whiteboard while interacting with students.  

If a professor needed to emphasize a message on-screen, they were limited to a laser pointer. 

The shift to hybrid learning has created new challenges for colleges and universities. These challenges include ensuring remote students feel included, keeping faculty confident with technology, and ensuring IT can provide consistent classroom experiences.  

There is a scalable AV/UC solution designed to meet these challenges.  

The SMART Board® Mini, powered by SMART Ink®, is a portable and easy-to-use device that empowers professors to teach their way in any space.  

Here are three ways the SMART Board Mini enhances hybrid learning for everyone.

1. College professors teach with one device anywhere on campus

Professors can walk into any room and start teaching with the SMART Board Mini.  The device moves easily between classrooms and mirrors content to any external display through either the HDMI or USB-C port.  This allows professors to engage students and seamlessly educate without hunting for adapters, remotes, plug-ins, or laser pointers. 

2. Ensure remote students have an engaging learning experience

Hybrid shouldn’t mean second-best for remote learners. With the SMART Board Mini, remote students enjoy a front-row seat to the professor and display visuals.  SMART Board Mini’s detachable 4K AI-powered camera automatically frames the instructor.  An eight-microphone array and 12-watt speakers ensure everyone is heard clearly. 

Additionally, interactive annotation and lecture recording keep students connected in live or on-demand sessions.  Students enjoy a consistent, interactive experience in the classroom or at home. 

3. Scalability that empowers professors and IT teams

SMART Board Mini’s built-in audio and video capabilities open up new possibilities for teaching and learning.  With campus Wi-Fi and SMART Board Mini’s mobility, professors can take the classroom anywhere.   That means professors can teach and record in lecture halls, huddle spaces, or off-site locations.  

In addition to students and faculty, IT benefits from SMART Board Mini’s scalability.  The device’s simple, flexible setup makes it easy to deploy and manage. IT can establish a consistent classroom collaboration infrastructure or distribute SMART Board Minis directly to professors, depending on demand. 

Build Engaging, Hybrid Learning Experiences with SMART and AVI-SPL 

We could have used a SMART Board Mini when I was in college. The in-person experience alone would have felt more interactive and engaging.  Today, with the SMART Board Mini, professors can stay focused on teaching rather than technology. And students stay engaged in the classroom and remotely.  

Colleges and universities can ensure professors and students stay connected by partnering with SMART and AVI-SPL. 

AVI-SPL experts can help you design, deploy, and manage SMART Board Mini classrooms that meet your campus needs. We’ll ensure professors and students get an engaging, connected, and flexible learning experience. 

Bring consistent, interactive, and scalable hybrid learning to every classroom with SMART solutions and AVI-SPL support. Contact us today to get started.