Wireless slates are now in use in five classrooms in the math department. In April, math teachers were given the option to receive a SMART slate. According to math teacher Natasha Cox, the ones who felt they were going to use it often or were willing to try them were the ones who accepted the offer.

“They were kind of expensive, so we got a list of whoever wanted them,” Cox said, “we just went from there.”

According to Cox, the purpose of purchasing the slates was to make class more functional for teachers. Teachers can write on the slates with an electronic pen from anywhere in the classroom, which in turn eliminates multiple trips to the whiteboard.

“I think they’re extremely useful,” Cox said. “You aren’t stuck at the [whiteboard] with your back to the students anymore. You don’t have to deal with markers running out; that’s a pet peeve of mine.”

Freshman Sid Jambunathan felt differently about the slates.

“[The slates] aren’t distracting, but they don’t enhance the experience,” Jambunathan said. “They don’t bring much of a change [to class]. I don’t think they’re necessary.”