The Challenge
Background
Interactive Immersive Classrooms (IIC) was born out of Production Park in Wakefield, the home of the live events industry in the UK, and the place where many of the greatest shows and spectaculars have been created over the past three decades.
By using technology developed in the ‘Live Visuals’ area of Backstage Academy, the training arm of Production Park, it became apparent that opportunities existed in the education sector for the transference of valuable knowledge and skills.
A meeting between the founder of the academy, and the commercial director of the Enquire Learning Trust, led to the start of the collaboration now known as IIC.
The Enquire Learning Trust is a multi-academy trust with several primary schools around the north of England, and it is in this sector that IIC have concentrated their efforts so far.
Challenge
Interactive Immersive Classrooms has already delivered a number of their solutions to primary schools around the north of England; several of these are retrofitted in existing classrooms. While this is a great solution, not all schools have spare classrooms available.
For schools that don’t have suitable internal space, IIC has designed and built the all new Qube360°, which is a full size, purpose-built, projection-mapped modular classroom.
To showcase the captivating interactive learning projection, IIC would attend BETT 2020, the world’s leading education exhibition with the Qube360°. Demonstrations of lesson plans for schools and their pupils were booked in for specific times beforehand; the door would shut for no distractions meaning that a way for attendees to see the solution while not being able to enter was needed.
Solution
The IIC and Qube360° both use eight ZH406ST projectors to project the custom-made content by IIC, a full 5.1 surround sound system, and a custom-built server.
The ZH406ST is a compact short-throw full HD 1080p DuraCore laser projector. It has been designed for maintenance-free, continuous operation, and it can be installed in virtually any orientation.
Offering a 30,000 hours maintenance-free, 4,200-lumen laser light source, with an IP6X dust resistance rating; it’s the perfect fit for a classroom.
James Whitaker, Technical Manager for Interactive Immersive Classroom, explained, “The ZH406ST projectors are the best quality fit for us. In comparison to competitors’ offerings, they’re so lightweight and bright.
“The feature that blew my mind though was the range of focus – it’s just insane! The manual focus makes it a straightforward and flexible projector to work with!”
He added, “I was also really impressed with ProDesign service Optoma offered. A technical product specialist visited us on-site with a demo unit to test. From this, we were advised on which model would work best.”
To showcase the projection inside the room while the door was shut, two 86” Optoma interactive flat panel displays were installed on the outside of the Qube360, connected to a camera recording on the outside of the booth. These worked to garner interest in the mystery box-shaped classroom with passers-by stopping to watch and see the lesson plans being carried out.
Results
David Poynton, Business Development Director for Interactive Immersive Classroom said, “The show was a great success. The technology from Optoma worked smoothly, as always, and we felt supported each step of the way.
“The contrast levels and brightness of the projectors are exquisite.
“The team work hard to purchase and create specific content linked to the national curriculum; so to have the technology which displays the high-quality content required is crucial.
“The real results, though can be seen on learners’ expressions as soon as they enter the Qube360 – sheer amazement and captivation!”
To find out more
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIC_QUBE360
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IICQUBE360/
