– Windmill Springs School Has Continued Efforts To Develop Innovative Learning Environment With Use of Hitachi Interactive Whiteboards–

CHULA VISTA, Calif., November 19, 2008 – Continuing its effort to create a technology-rich educational environment, Windmill Springs Middle School in northern California’s Franklin-McKinley School District has increasingly relied on Hitachi StarBoards since they were installed in June 2007. Purchased through Troxell Communications, the school utilizes the FX-77 model StarBoard.

“We’ve quickly realized how much we have come to depend upon the enriched experience the StarBoard provides on a daily basis,� stated Windmill teacher Amy Kolb Tucker. “This year we are piloting a full inclusion of students with significant learning differences in special education classes.�

According to Tucker the StarBoards play an important role in the student’s critical learning exercises. “As a class, the students can brainstorm words, thoughts, ideas, facts or even images to use in writing or projects. This is especially effective for creating word banks while writing or completing content-area assignments. Additionally, the brainstorming pages can be updated and even manipulated as we move through the process.�

Special education students are receiving science and social studies instruction in a general education class. As a special-education teacher, Tucker facilitates their inclusion by adapting the lessons. “We began the program last year but it has now expanded,� said Tucker. “Because we utilize the StarBoard in the lessons where special education students are integrated with our inclusion classes, they have become days our students look forward to a great deal. The general education students look forward to utilizing the Starboard as well. Our classroom is definitely the coolest classroom on campus and the other students know it!�