Samsung Interactive Displays Elevate Classroom Engagement in South Holland School District 150

Samsung Electronics America announces South Holland School District 150, an elementary school district south of Chicago serving nearly 900 students, has upgraded its classrooms with Samsung Interactive Displays. This upgrade is part of an effort to foster greater student engagement and dynamic teaching through technology, starting with a one-year pilot in 13 McKinley Elementary and Junior High School classrooms.

Transforming classrooms with Samsung Interactive Displays

South Holland School District sought to replace its legacy interactive whiteboards due to their limited functionality, challenges with wireless connectivity to other classroom devices and smaller screens that made it difficult for all students to view content. While attending the Illinois Education and Technology Conference, district representatives discovered that Samsung Interactive Displays offered a cost-effective, versatile solution that could overcome these limitations, enhance interactive learning and provide an intuitive experience for both educators and students.

“We love the connectivity, flexibility and size of the boards, with all the space students and teachers now have to work with,” said Myra Lolkema, Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL), Director of Technology at South Holland School District 150. “The Interactive Display ticked all the boxes to be an effective tool for our classrooms.”

Features that empower educators and inspire learners

Following the installation in the summer of 2024, South Holland teachers quickly embraced the Samsung Interactive Displays to enhance student engagement and promote hands-on learning. With features like multi-touch functionality, multiple students can write, annotate and move content on the screen simultaneously, turning traditional lessons into dynamic, collaborative experiences.

The Air Class feature allows students to respond to questions by voting or posting messages directly on the display, providing a more interactive alternative to traditional hand-raising. Educators also utilize built-in tools such as the stopwatch, spotlight and screen management controls, including split-screen functionality and the ability to run multiple educational apps. These tools expand the ways educators and students engage with instructional content.

Using the broadcast feature, teachers can send videos or presentations directly to student laptops while temporarily locking other functions to minimize distractions and maintain focus. Bidirectional casting also allows teachers to move freely around the classroom and work one-on-one with students without being tethered to their desktop computers. With these capabilities, South Holland teachers have brought a new energy and enthusiasm to their classrooms, while students feel like connected, active participants in their learning journeys.

“Samsung Interactive Displays create a hands-on learning experience where students can see their ideas come to life,” said Sara Grofcsik, Head of Sales, Display Division, Samsung Electronics America. “For South Holland School District educators, the displays offer a vibrant, easy-to-use tool that enhances instruction and keeps students actively engaged. Rather than asking educators to adapt their lessons to fit the technology, our goal was to provide seamless solutions that amplify what they do best — teach.”

Professional development that makes the grade

One of the most impactful aspects of the implementation has been the ongoing support provided through Samsung’s professional development program, designed to help schools successfully adopt and integrate new technology. Before the school year began, Samsung Education Coach Rachel Swanson led in-person training sessions to guide teachers through key features and demonstrate how to seamlessly incorporate the Interactive Displays into their existing lesson plans.

Since then, Swanson has returned monthly to provide guidance and personalized support, becoming a valued member of the school district community. Her ongoing involvement ensures that teachers not only understand the full capabilities of the displays, but also feel confident adapting the technology to enhance their established classroom practices.

“A lot of times, companies drop their product in and give you one training. With Samsung, the ongoing support has been so much better than that. It’s invaluable,” added Lolkema.

With the successes of the pilot at McKinley Elementary and Junior High School, South Holland School District 150 plans to expand its adoption of Samsung Interactive Displays in the coming years. To learn more about how South Holland uses Samsung Interactive Displays to elevate teaching and learning, read the full case study here: https://insights.samsung.com/2025/05/20/south-holland-school-district-maximizes-student-and-teacher-engagement-with-samsung-displays/.