Elmo 1317 CRA-2 Wireless Tablet: The Ultimate Teaching Tool

Introduction

As an educator, I'm always on the lookout for tools that can enhance classroom engagement and simplify my teaching process. I decided to purchase the Elmo 1317 Model CRA-2 Wireless Tablet after hearing rave reviews about its interactive features and ease of use. After several months of regular use, I'm excited to share my insights. This tablet is particularly well-suited for teachers and educators who want to incorporate technology into their lessons without being tethered to a PC.

Key Features

• PC-Free Operation: The CRA-2 allows for seamless operation without a computer, particularly useful when paired with an ELMO Document Camera for remote control and interactive annotations.

• Long Battery Life: With up to 15 hours of continuous operation on a single charge, the CRA-2 ensures that educators can conduct extended lessons without the worry of running out of battery.

• ELMO Interactive Toolbox Compatibility: The device works perfectly with ELMO’s Interactive Toolbox software, enabling users to annotate and control their computer desktop alongside ELMO Document Cameras.

• Versatile Additional Functions: Users can perform various tasks like adding images, taking notes, and even recording and annotating videos, thereby enriching the learning experience.

Benefits

• Enhances student engagement through interactive lessons.

• Allows for flexible teaching — annotate directly on images or videos.

• Streamlines lesson planning with easy access to various tools and functions.

• Greatly reduces the need for physical materials, promoting a more digital classroom environment.

Real-World Use Cases

• Interactive Classroom Demonstrations: I often use the CRA-2 to annotate over video presentations, allowing students to engage with the content directly and boosting comprehension.

• Collaborative Projects: The ability to annotate and modify content in real-time has made group projects more interactive and helps facilitate better communication.

• Flexible Teaching Environments: Whether in the classroom or a virtual setup, the PC-free functionality offers an adaptable teaching approach that fits various learning contexts.

Pros and Cons

Comparison

• Wacom Bamboo Slate: While the Wacom offers excellent drawing capabilities, it lacks the specific classroom-oriented features of the CRA-2 like direct PC-free operation with document cameras.

• MimioTeach: MimioTeach provides similar annotation capabilities but does not offer as extensive battery life or the same level of interactive features as the CRA-2.

Conclusion

Overall, the Elmo 1317 Model CRA-2 Wireless Tablet has transformed my teaching approach and significantly elevated the classroom experience. If you’re looking for a versatile, easy-to-use tool for creating interactive lessons, I highly recommend this tablet.