How To Use The Electronic Whiteboard in a COL Room

The purpose of this article is to explain proper use of the electronic whiteboard in a COL room, regardless of type.

 

Identifying The Type Of Whiteboard In Your Room

COL rooms contain one of two electronic whiteboard technologies - the Kaptivo system or the Mimio system. The images below help you identify the system in the room you are using.

Kaptivo rooms are identified by two components:

• A boom camera above one of the whiteboards labeled “KAPTIVO”.
• A small power switch to the side of the whiteboard, also labeled “KAPTIVO”.

 

Mimio rooms are identified by two components:

• A white bar on the left side of one or both whiteboards labeled “MIMIO”, “DYMO MimioTeach”, or “BOXLIGHT”.
• A white charging tray on the instruction desk containing a circular eraser, as well as red, blue, green, and black markers.

How To Use The Whiteboard In A Kaptivo Room

The Kaptivo system uses a camera, mounted above the whiteboard, to capture its content. This system allows any dry-erase marker to be used in a variety of colors, as needed.

To use the Kaptivo system, you must first ensure that it is on.

The system is on if:

• There is a blue light on the Kaptivo boom.
  
• The button on the Kaptivo switch is lit blue.
  
• The whiteboard display mirrors the board.

The system is off if:

• Both lights are off.
• The whiteboard display shows an illustration of a person using the Kaptivo system, accompanied by the text “PRESS BUTTON TO VIEW LINKED WHITEBOARD”

IMPORTANT: If you do not ensure that the system is on, your whiteboard writing WILL NOT be recorded.

As you write, the Kaptivo camera automatically captures the whiteboard, and mirrors your writing on the whiteboard monitor on the right side of the instruction desk. If you do not see your writing, you may be obstructing the Kaptivo camera’s view of the board. Simply move away from the portion of the whiteboard you have just written on, and it will appear on the monitor.

It is not necessary to turn the system off upon the conclusion of your lecture. 

How To Use The Whiteboard In A Mimio Room

The Mimio system uses ultrasonic technology to track the position of “smart markers” as they are used on the whiteboard. Unlike Kaptivo, this system may only be used with the specially designed markers provided in each Mimio classroom. Each classroom has a tray containing red, green, blue, and black markers, as well as a smart eraser. These markers are powered by internal batteries that have been checked by COL prior to the start of your lecture. Other markers will not be captured.

As you write, the marks you make on the board are mirrored on the whiteboard monitor. You may also notice a faint buzzing sound - this is the ultrasonic signal transmitted from the smart markers to the Mimio receiver on the left side of the board, and is normal. To clear all content from the whiteboard monitor without using the smart eraser, press the small on the Mimio receiver, and then fully wipe down the board with your eraser of choice. The receiver beeps three times to confirm that content has been cleared.

IMPORTANT: Anything you write on the board prior to the start of your lecture will not be captured, even if it appears on the whiteboard monitor.

You must return the smart markers to the charge tray upon conclusion of your lecture. A green light on the top of each smart marker and the eraser confirms that the markers are properly positioned within the tray, and the order in which you place each color into the four spaces does not matter.

 

  Do you need more help? Contact the COL Operations Center.