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SMART Boards vs. Promethean – Which Interactive Display Is Best for Your Classroom?

Interactive displays have revolutionized classrooms, bridging the gap between traditional teaching methods and modern technology. For educators striving to create dynamic, engaging, and collaborative learning environments, these tools are indispensable. However, choosing the right interactive display isn’t just a technological decision—it’s a choice that impacts how students learn and how teachers teach. Two of the leading contenders in this field are SMART Technologies and Promethean.

At VIcom, we’ve seen firsthand how crucial this decision can be. With over 20 years of experience in AV, UC, and IT integration for education, we’ve partnered with top K-12 and higher education institutions across Virginia to implement cutting-edge solutions. In this article, we’ll compare SMART Boards and Promethean Displays across five essential features, helping you determine which is the best fit for your school.

Understanding the Role of Interactive Displays in Modern Classrooms

Interactive displays have become the cornerstone of tech-integrated classrooms, transforming lessons into immersive and interactive experiences. These tools go beyond traditional teaching aids, enabling educators to make complex ideas more accessible and engaging for students. By fostering collaboration and supporting diverse teaching styles, they empower teachers to deliver more effective lessons.

From annotating directly on screen to integrating student devices for real-time collaboration, interactive displays cater to modern pedagogy’s evolving needs. Choosing the right solution means finding a balance between usability, features, and support—ensuring the investment delivers long-term educational value.

Key Features to Compare: SMART Boards vs. Promethean Displays

Annotation Tools

Annotation tools are integral to interactive displays, allowing educators to bring lessons to life by marking up content, illustrating concepts, and engaging students visually. In this category, SMART Boards lead the way with their seamless SMART Ink technology. Annotations remain consistent across different apps and tabs, and the ink tool activates automatically when a pen is picked up. This intuitive design keeps lessons flowing without interruptions.

Promethean Displays, on the other hand, offer basic annotation capabilities through ActivInspire or Android ink tools. While functional, these tools often require multiple steps to switch between writing and interacting with content, which can disrupt lesson momentum. Additionally, annotations don’t carry over between apps, forcing teachers to redo their work or rely on static screens. For educators seeking efficiency and ease, SMART Boards are the clear winner in this category.

Integration with Student Devices

Modern classrooms rely heavily on student devices for interactive and collaborative learning. An effective interactive display should integrate seamlessly with these devices to enhance engagement and participation. SMART Boards with iQ excel in this area, offering two-way integration that allows students to connect without creating accounts. Teachers can broadcast content directly to student devices and even facilitate collaboration with built-in polling and brainstorming tools.

In contrast, Promethean Displays lack an included solution for robust student-device integration. After discontinuing their ClassFlow platform in 2023, Promethean now offers only a paid subscription option through Explain Everything, which supports up to eight devices. For larger classrooms, this creates significant limitations. By offering a streamlined, built-in solution, SMART Boards provide a superior experience for educators looking to harness the power of student devices.

Whiteboarding Capabilities

The whiteboard app is the heart of an interactive display, serving as a teacher’s primary tool for lesson creation and management. SMART Boards with iQ stand out with their advanced whiteboarding capabilities. Teachers can embed images and videos, save work for later use, and share content directly with students. The integrated image and video search eliminates distractions like YouTube ads, ensuring smooth lesson delivery.

Promethean Displays offer basic whiteboarding functionality but require additional effort to incorporate multimedia elements. Content often needs to be preloaded or accessed via a browser, adding extra preparation time. For educators juggling tight schedules, the simplicity and flexibility of SMART’s whiteboard app make it the more practical choice.

Multi-User Interactivity

Collaboration is at the core of modern learning environments, and multi-user interactivity is essential for fostering teamwork among students. SMART Boards are equipped with advanced touch technology that allows multiple users to write, erase, and manipulate objects simultaneously. This fluid experience mirrors the dynamics of traditional group work, making it intuitive for students.

While Promethean Displays also offer multi-touch capabilities, the experience can become clunky when multiple users interact simultaneously. Conflicts between gestures and writing tools can disrupt collaboration, creating frustration for teachers and students alike. SMART’s user-friendly approach ensures smooth group activities, reinforcing its position as the preferred choice for hands-on learning.

Android App Experience

Access to Android apps on an interactive display can significantly enhance the teaching and learning experience. SMART Boards with iQ shine in this area, offering fast app switching and automatic ink activation when a pen is picked up. Educators can interact with apps while annotating, making lessons more dynamic and responsive. Additionally, the ability to save ink annotations in an editable format streamlines the process of revisiting and revising content.

Promethean Displays provide access to Android apps but fall short in usability. The annotation overlay must be toggled on and off when interacting with app content, disrupting lesson flow. Running on Android 12 with limited RAM, Promethean’s performance is slower, which can frustrate educators during time-sensitive lessons. While both brands provide basic app integration, SMART Boards deliver a more efficient and teacher-friendly experience.

Budget-Friendly Solutions Without Compromise

Schools often face tight budgets, making cost-effectiveness a key factor when choosing interactive displays. Both SMART Boards and Promethean Displays offer competitive pricing, but SMART consistently provides greater value through features included at no extra cost. From advanced annotation tools to integrated student-device collaboration, SMART Boards ensure that educators have access to robust functionality without hidden fees.

Promethean Displays, while initially more affordable in some cases, require additional investments for certain features, such as student collaboration tools. This can increase the total cost of ownership over time. For schools prioritizing long-term value and functionality, SMART Boards offer a more budget-friendly solution without compromising on quality.

Why VIcom Is Virginia’s Trusted Education Technology Integrator

When it comes to implementing interactive display solutions, choosing the right technology is only half the battle. Ensuring seamless integration, training, and ongoing support is just as important. This is where VIcom stands out as the premier education technology integrator in Virginia. With over 20 years of experience, we specialize in creating custom solutions for K-12 schools and higher education institutions.

Over 20 Years of Experience

VIcom has a proven track record of delivering AV, UC, and IT solutions that meet the unique needs of educational institutions. From consulting and installation to training and support, our team is dedicated to ensuring that technology enhances learning outcomes. Our partnerships with industry leaders like SMART Technologies allow us to offer best-in-class solutions tailored to your school’s goals.

Specialized Expertise in Education

Led by Dr. Michael Rossi, a former educator and principal, our dedicated Education Team provides unparalleled expertise in integrating technology into classrooms. We don’t just install hardware and software—we work closely with educators to develop lesson plans, provide discipline-specific training, and ensure that technology aligns with pedagogical objectives. Whether it’s training teachers on SMART Learning Suite software or consulting on security and threat assessments, VIcom’s comprehensive approach sets us apart.

Comprehensive Support and Training

One of the biggest challenges schools face when adopting new technology is ensuring teachers and staff are comfortable using it effectively. VIcom’s commitment to ongoing support and training addresses this challenge head-on. We provide hands-on training sessions, including half-day, full-day, and multi-day summer programs, tailored to educators’ specific needs. Teachers receive certification and recertification points, ensuring they remain proficient and confident in using their tools.

Our support doesn’t end after installation. VIcom offers continuous training for updates, enhancements, and changes in school personnel, ensuring that technology solutions remain effective and relevant. This level of commitment ensures your investment in interactive displays translates into meaningful classroom outcomes.

Making the Right Choice for Your School

Key Considerations for Decision-Making

Choosing between SMART Boards and Promethean Displays requires careful consideration of your school’s unique needs. While both brands offer valuable features, SMART Boards consistently outperform in key areas like annotation tools, device integration, and multi-user interactivity. However, the right choice ultimately depends on your school’s priorities, budget, and long-term goals.

Why Partnering with VIcom Ensures Success

At VIcom, we go beyond simply providing technology—we build partnerships. By aligning technology solutions with your school’s strategic and pedagogical objectives, we help you maximize the impact of your investment. From consultation to implementation and training, our team ensures a seamless transition to new technology and supports you every step of the way.

CTA: Ready to Choose the Right Interactive Display for Your Classroom?

Making the right choice for your school doesn’t have to be daunting. VIcom’s education specialists are here to help you navigate the options and implement the solution that best fits your needs. Whether you’re looking to enhance collaboration, simplify lesson delivery, or future-proof your classroom technology, we’ve got you covered.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and see how VIcom can transform your classrooms with cutting-edge interactive display solutions. Fill out the form below to get started!

Interactive displays like SMART Boards and Promethean Displays are reshaping the way teachers teach and students learn. While both brands offer compelling features, SMART’s superior functionality and user-friendly design make it the better choice for schools prioritizing collaboration, efficiency, and innovation.

VIcom’s unparalleled expertise in education technology integration ensures that your school doesn’t just adopt new tools but uses them to their full potential. With over 20 years of experience, a dedicated Education Team, and a commitment to ongoing support, VIcom is your trusted partner in making technology work for your classrooms. Let us help you make the smart choice—contact us today!

FAQs

What is the main difference between SMART Boards and Promethean Displays?

SMART Boards excel in user-friendly features like seamless annotation tools and multi-user interactivity, while Promethean Displays can be more limited in functionality and integration.

Are SMART Boards more expensive than Promethean?

SMART Boards may have a higher initial cost but include robust features at no extra charge, offering better long-term value.

How does VIcom support schools in choosing the right display?

VIcom provides comprehensive consulting, installation, and training services, tailored to the unique needs of each school.

Can VIcom train our teachers on using SMART Boards?

Yes! VIcom offers extensive training programs, including summer sessions, to ensure teachers are confident and proficient with SMART Board technology.

How do I get started with VIcom?

Simply fill out the contact form below, and one of our education specialists will reach out to discuss your school’s needs and goals.