The DIS facilities manager and private contractors installed two new scoreboards in the Jetnasium over Lunar New Year break. The Student Athletic Association Committee (SAAC) acquired the point trackers, in the form of large flat-screen TVs, through fundraisers and events. However, an anonymous parent generously donated the majority of the funds to purchase the two devices that display digital stats through modern technology.
The decision to install smart TVs instead of traditional scoreboards proved to be an effective choice. The board installation only required simple steel insertions. “Our school hosts so many events, like SKAIS and KISAC, and I see students using paper scoreboards. So, Mr. Jolly and I talked about getting a scoreboard and thought about where we could hang it up. We decided to install it near the fitness room. We made some steel insertions. We also made the scoreboard using smart TVs, and it turned out awesome,” said Mr. Jack Bae, facilities manager.
Their versatile and multi-functional design benefits coaches, teams, and crowds, providing the ultimate all-in-one tool. “It can be used for education, scoreboards, and so much more. Teachers can use it, students can use it, and it can even be used for videos. We also made it a dongle system, which is easy to use. At events like the open house, whenever we need to create a banner, we can now display digital banners through the smart TV,” said Mr. Bae.
The large TVs rely on student scorekeepers, but due to a short learning curve, the initial rollout proceeded with ease. SAAC members operated the system for the first time at the Korean International Schools Activities Conference (KISAC) middle school volleyball tournament on Feb. 7 and 8. SAAC secretary Haydn Mangione said, “I really enjoyed the new software that we used for operating the scoreboards. It was really easy and self-explanatory, and it was kind of fun using them too.”
The new technology levels the playing field against the larger Jeju schools. “Visually, it was really nice because before, there were often problems with seeing the score on the tiny scoreboards we had, where the visibility wasn’t great. But now that we have the nice, big screens that are really bright, it’s really easy to see the scores, and I think it upgraded our sports facilities really well,” said Mangione.
With the press of a button, statisticians can mirror their laptop screen through USB connections or routers, facilitating the process as no extra technology or tutorials are needed. Although the connection seems simple at first, technical difficulties like computer updates may halt the display process. “Scorekeeping was pretty easy, but connecting the laptop to the board seemed a little tough on the teachers,” said Bryan Lee in 10th grade.
The monitors serve as tools for PE teachers and coaches to use in classes or other practices, as they open up novel educational strategies. “They are very good for instructions, helping students see visual information, quick graphics, and quick videos. It’s also good to show motivational videos for tournaments and scoreboard keeping… Mr. Bergan has done a very good job and Mr. Jack as well by setting it up for us, and we’re looking forward to using it more and more and getting it involved in our coaching session,” said Mr. Purdy, elementary PE teacher and coach of multiple sports.
As the academic and athletic calendar progresses, the school plans to make full use of the smart screens in a variety of future events. With their ease of use and flexibility, the TVs have become a central part of events held in the gym, which brings both convenience and innovation to the campus facilities.
