Date: 30 September, 2010

The NI Prison Serivce has invested in updating their prisoner education facilites in Magilligan by installing nine SMARTboards

These white boards are high tech teaching tools which are increasingly being used in schools/ colleges and training facilities to enhance learning by enabling more active participation. As part of their Prison Education policy, the education department provides a wide range of courses facilitated by a staff of twelve teachers in a facility which houses over 400 prisoners.

NIAVAC audio visual completed installation of these Smartboards and training following planning and design consultations with Head of Education, Tom McKeever. Tom says: “We had purchased three whiteboards previously but the agreement didn’t extend to installation and we’ve had a variety of unfavourable experiences with service providers until we were introduced to NIAVAC. They provided a complete service from initial enquiry, installation of boards including the ones purchased from the previous supplier- to onsite training and comprehensive after sales support. I was very impressed with their professionalism and attentiveness. The staff were more than helpful on each occasion and I highly recommend them.”

The Smartboards are in use in each classroom supporting a range of subject delivery including essential skills (literacy and numeracy), Drugs and Alcohol Awareness, GCSE Maths and English; Art Skills, Creative Writing, Open University Course, Computer Studies, Computer Aided Drawing, Business Studies and Sage Accounts. Tom says the teaching staff have reported an increased level of participation among 120 inmates taking part in classes, which has created an enhanced learning environment. “We had very positive feedback since the boards
were installed. We are keen to stay abreast of technological advances which can add value to the delivery of our education programmes.

Our programmes enhance the resettling of prisoners in society and this is a good example of how new technology can help support our teaching staff and assist in further development of our education programmes.”