SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, www.hitachi.us – Answering its teachers‘ request for advanced interactive presentation tools, Klein Independent School District in Texas recently installed Hitachi Software‘s StarBoard interactive whiteboards in 34 campus locations. Sold through Troxell Communications, the FX Series StarBoards were installed in elementary, intermediate and high schools throughout the district.

Using interactive technology tools to maximize the learning experience was part of the district‘s technology and strategic plan. “The interactive whiteboards were originally requested by our teachers,” commented Ann McMullan, Executive Director of Educational Technology at Klein School District. “In response, we instituted a pilot program and monitored the impact of the whiteboards on student learning. The results of the pilot program lead to the inclusion of interactive whiteboards as part of the district’s overall strategy for incorporating 21st century digital tools in all classrooms, to assure success for all students.”

Since implementation of interactive whiteboards in K-8 classrooms and lesson plans, Klein School District students are more engaged in their own learning. Students are not only receiving lesson materials in an interactive format, they are actively preparing interactive responses. “Not just a teacher‘s tool, it is the expectation that students will also use the whiteboard to present content and interact with lessons as they are taught,” explained Mrs. McMullan. “As part of their studies, students are asked to create content to be presented with the interactive whiteboards.”

One of a number of tools the district has employed to engage its students in the learning process, the FX Series is the most recent model of interactive whiteboards installed in Klein‘s facilities, as the district previously installed earlier Hitachi Software models SB Series and F Series.

Introduced by Hitachi Software in Spring 2006, the FX Series of interactive whiteboards consists of three models: FX-63, FX-77 and FX-82 with screen sizes of 63”, 77” and 82” respectively. All FX Series whiteboards are operated with Hitachi Software‘s StarBoard software technology.

About Hitachi
Hitachi America, Ltd., Ubiquitous Platform Systems Division, produces and markets a wide variety of digital products for business and consumers. The division‘s Consumer Group markets high-definition plasma televisions and monitors, LCD projection and flat panel HDTVs, LCD projectors, and DVD camcorders and DVD players. The division‘s Business Group markets LCD projectors, professional plasma monitors, interactive panels and whiteboards and security and observation system products through value added resellers, system integrators, distributors and OEM.

Hitachi Software develops advanced interactive communications tools for education, training and boardroom applications including interactive whiteboards, plasma displays and tablets all powered by the company‘s category-leading StarBoard software. For more information about Hitachi Software, visit www.hitachi-soft.com.

Hitachi has a unique position in the marketplace by manufacturing and developing its own core technologies to provide consumers and businesses with optimal product performance in each of Hitachi’s product categories. For consumer products, please visit www.hitachi.us/tv. For business products, please visit www.hitachi.us/digitalmedia. For more information about electronic whiteboards and Starboard software, please visit Hitachi Software at www.hitachi-soft.com. Hitachi brand business products are connected through Hitachi‘s OneVision program, which makes it possible for any Hitachi business unit dealer to sell Hitachi products from other Hitachi business units.

Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., markets and manufactures a broad range of electronics, computer systems and products, and consumer electronics, and provides industrial equipment and services throughout North America. For more information, visit www.hitachi.us.

Hitachi, Ltd., (NYSE: HIT / TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 356,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2005 (ended March 31, 2006) consolidated sales totaled 9,464 billion yen ($80.9 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at www.hitachi.com.
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