Learning Resources now!Board Interactive Whiteboard Technology – A Cost Effective Solution for Classrooms & More
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I received this now!Board to use and form my own opinions. All opinions are my own.
We recently received the brand new now!Board by Learning Resources to review and put to the test in an actual classroom. If you are anything like me, I want to personally see the product in action – especially when you are looking at something with a higher price tag.
The promo video is fantastic and makes the now!Board look amazing – but I was afraid it was “too good to be true”! I know that many of my readers mentioned the same thing so I was really eager to try out this new equipment – both at home and in the classroom – to see how well it worked.
The now!Board comes with the now!Board camera which really isn’t much of a size difference than a web cam, a stylus, a wand, CD software and guide, and a nice carrying case filled with heavy duty foam padding.
The top set of photos in this section are the stylus which can be used to both calibrate the machine and act as a “wireless mouse” per se. When using with children, however, I highly suggest using a separate wand which can be easily replaced if broken. Below you can view the video we created for a quick overview of the products.
*Note – in this video I said “projector” when it is actually the now!Board camera.
In order to use Learning Resources now!Board you need:
1. a Computer
2. a Projector
3. now!Board
That’s it! You do NOT need a screen of any kind. The now!Board is interactive whiteboard technology on ANY flat surface! In fact our home has textured walls and we were able to use it without any issues.
Setup
When you first receive your now!Board you’ll need to put the software onto your computer which literally just takes minutes at most. It was SO simple. Incredibly easy. This only needs to be done for the first time when you receive the product.
Every time you want to use your now!Board you’ll need to make sure your now!Board is plugged into your computer which should be plugged into a projector. You will also need to calibrate your now!Board with each use (or every time the camera is moved). Calibration literally takes 1-2 minutes and again, it is extremely user-friendly. You’ll see the entire process on video further down in the post.
This is a snapshot of what the now!Board tools looks like which is also covered in the videos below.
This is a snapshot of what the now!Board tools looks like which is also covered in the videos below.
now!Board Stylus Vs. Wand Demo
now!Board Cool Bonus Feature
You can use the now!Board with essentially everything on the internet, anything on your computer, and any other interactive programs that you may have access to. We used it with programs as simple as Paint, as well as Tumble books, SMART Technologies, the internet (PBS Kids, Starfall, etc.), Compass Odyssey, Word, Powerpoint, PDF, and more.
now!Board in Use – Multiple Options
We used the interactive wand with children from ages 2 and up and even my 2 year old could use the wand fairly well. Obviously that’s pretty young so your experience may vary. My 4 year old never had any problems using it and picked it up immediately, and my husband’s 2nd grade students were dying for the chance to use it in class.
It was great because his students immediately became 100% engaged in classroom participation. The great thing about using it with younger children is that you can move your projector and now!Board to the children’s level as it is completely portable.
**I have included a Pros/Cons list for quick viewing BUT please keep in mind that this chart is based on a very nitty-gritty comparison to other interactive whiteboard technologies. The now!Board by itself NOT compared to other whiteboard technologies essentially had no cons for us and is a fantastic educational interactive tool. (i.e. perfect for homeschooling families and groups, etc.)
Overall we absolutely loved the now!Board and can officially say that YES! it IS as good as their promo video! It is quite remarkable for the mobility and price of this product really! If you are looking for the absolute best interactive whiteboard on the market and have an endless budget to back the purchase you obviously may choose a different brand/product.
But this is the perfect alternative to those schools or even families looking for the same interactive whiteboard technology at a more affordable price with ease of mobility. It is perfect for adjunct teachers, special teachers, purchasing one unit and moving it between classrooms, etc. As you can see in this review it is extremely user-friendly for even the most technologically-hindered teachers!
I would love to get one of those boards however I think I may use it for some games.
susaaan at gmail dot com
Wow, I had no idea something like this existed, that's definitely cool and SO handy! Great review!
Oh my goodness! I love this! I am currently student teaching in a kindergarten classroom without this (it does have a computer and projector). I think it would be awesome to have this in there. 😀
What a great giveaway and addition to a classroom!
As much as I'd love to pick up one of the boards, I'm going to have to say I'd probably get a couple sets of the answer buzzers, the Go to Press! Grammar Game, and not sure what else!
The Nowboard is cool but i also like the Giant Inflatable Solar System & the Double-Sided Magnetic Money set
So excited! This would work great in my classroom!
Thank you for such a thorough review. While this would be an investment if we bought this as an at-home learning tool, I feel like I can truly make an informed decision.
*If I were lucky enough to win, I think I'd get the Calendar/Weather chart and the Primary Science Set.
I would use for new products for our homeschool! I know it'd be hard to choose from such a great selection =)
simplyrandomreviews @ gmail.com
If I can come up with the other $300, I'd definitely get the NowBoard for school.
I work in a small small school, so finding these alternatives is so great. Thanks for trying it out for us! I would spend the $100 on my massive wish list of items I want for my classroom, as with budget cuts I buy my own things for the classroom. Thanks for the chance!
I have been waiting to see the reviews on this product. I have been wanting a smart board for my Pre-K class but couldn't come up with the money. Im hoping to get the NowBoard for next school year! Thanks for the review!
Yes I want to win! Where do I enter? Maybe it is not showing up on my iPad…I will try on my computer tomorrow. Thanks for the chance to win credit…I would only need about $100 more to get it…plus I may be able to convince my principal to order one for me (I can dream cant I). Lol!
Wow, have things changed…very cool!!
I'd use the gift card to buy products to use in my classroom! Too hard to decide exactly what I'd get!
Teachers need all of the tools they can get – the more the better! This looks very useful for the classroom!
I would use it towards a now!board.
The 'now!boards' look very cool – I would love to have one to test!
If I win I would give it to my little boys kindergarden teacher. Thay way not only would he learn from what she needed for the class room, but so would all the other students.
savingmomssanity at gmail dot com
New learning books to teach my daughter at home!
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I'd get the Light ‘N’ Strike Math® Game
Math Mat Challenge™ Game
math and spelling games
esp math challenge
Wow what a neat product!! It is so versatile!! I would love to have one of these in my classroom!
I like the ABC Chalk Talk!® Electronic Learning Chalkboard because I think it would help my children learn to read better.
KellywcuATyahooDOTcom
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I would love to get one of those boards!
Thanks!
Jenn from How to Make Loopy Bows
[email protected]
I like the primary science set and ABC chalk talk!
I'd like to order the Double-Sided Magnetic Fraction Circles and the MathDiction! My son could use the help. Great giveaway!
wendy2lindsey at yahoo dot com
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I'd like the GeoSafari Motorized Solar System. cwitherstine at zoominternet dot net
There are so many things that I could choose from! It is so hard to choose but I would pick something to do with the solar system because my oldest loves to learn about the solar system! Thanks so much for this giveaway!
There are so many activities I would like to get for my girls. I think the Letter Box Activity Set is my favorite right now.
http://www.learningresources.com/product/teachers/shop+by+grade/pre+k/letter+box+activity+set.do?sortby=&
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Hi! I teach kindergarten in Tennessee. This is only my second year teaching, and our state has a very extensive new evaluation rubric. This year instead of having three evaluations I now have SIX! Technology is an important area on the rubric. The Now!Board would be an excellent tool for our classroom! If I were to win, I would apply the gift card to the purchase of a Now!Board!
I would use this to build up classroom supplies. I am a student teacher in my last semester, so in August I will hopefully have my own classroom, and I don't have much in the way of supplies yet. Things like dry erase boards, math manipulatives, and learning games would be very helpful.
I'd use it for HotDots!
Anything for my classroom. Would love this.
I would give this to my daughter, who is doing her student teaching now and graduates in April. As a beginning teacher, she is going to need to stock up on lots of supplies for her classroom. I would love to be able to help her do so with this gift.
I teach preschool so I would spend the gift card on some of the resources LR has to develop fine motor skills, counting money, and imaginative play. My wish list is big and this would put a big dent in it!
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I would use the GC for this!
http://www.learningresources.com/product/parents/shop+by+age/ages+2–45-3/mystery+hat.do?sortby=&
Great stuff, Thanks for the chance.
swak50 at hotmail dot com
I would love to use it towards the now!Board, but I don't have the other $300, so I would use it for some educational items for my classroom! They have some great games and fine motor activities that would be wonderful for my classroom! 🙂
Cheryl
cener(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
Crayons and Curls
I think the Now Board is an exciting option for teachers without Promethean or Smart Boards. I would use the $100 to purchase more software for my board.
This looks like an amazing product! I would love one for my classroom!!
[email protected]
Wow I love it! Though I cannot read a single thing on your site without highlighting it because of the background. 🙁
Oh No Sadie! Have you tried opening it in a different browser? The background (except for the outer portions of the site which there is no writing) is all white so there shouldn't be a problem with it!