| Digital
whiteboards, also known as interactive or electronic whiteboards,
are a significant step up the evolutionary ladder, certainly
from the traditional blackboard but also from standard whiteboards.
The concept is simple: a digital whiteboard enables users
to capture text and images that appear on the board.
What results is a new paradigm for classroom
interaction — teachers have the ability to save their
handwritten lecture notes to their PCs, for instance, and
later post them online. Students might project a PowerPoint
presentation onto the board, make annotations, and then display
the final product on their personal Web sites.
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As for the technology itself, almost all electronic
whiteboards offer core functions, including optically encoded
pens for writing on the board's surface; accompanying software
that provides templates and backgrounds; and the ability to
capture and send annotated images to disk, printer, or Web
site. In addition to such basics, there's a wealth of optional
features, from wireless connectivity to handwriting recognition.
Here, we detail key considerations to help you get started.
Configuration options vary considerably in
the world of whiteboard systems. SMART Technologies, for instance,
offers mostly all-in-one solutions that include a digital
whiteboard, software, projector, and portable cabinet —
basically everything you need but the computer. Standard offerings
from companies like GTCO CalComp, Virtual Ink, Numonics, PLUS
Vision, Promethean, and PolyVision include the digital whiteboard
and accompanying software while you supply the projector,
computer, and any desired accessories
. And there are others — specifically
Luidia and the aforementioned Virtual Ink — who sell
conversion technology: software and sensors that add digital,
interactive capabilities to standard whiteboards. These units
are particularly portable and lightweight, with some weighing
as little as a couple of ounces. Finally, there's an electronic
copyboard option from PLUS Vision that doesn't require a computer
or projector — instead, information written on the board
can be sent directly to a printer or saved to a memory card.
All-in-one systems range from $8,000 to over
$12,000; whiteboard/software packages go for $800-$2,700;
and conversion solutions start at $600. Of course, with the
whiteboard/software and conversion methods, you also have
to factor in the additional components you'll need to supply.
In addition, when tallying costs, keep in mind that the majority
of vendors offer unique supplemental features you might consider
adding to the mix (see next question for more on this).
When it comes to software features, every
vendor offers their own twist. Most provide template backgrounds
like graph paper, periodic tables, and world maps for aiding
math, science, and history lessons — Luidia and PLUS
Vision excluded — while some also include puzzles, games,
and access to lesson libraries.
If it's greater interactivity you're looking
for, Promethean and GTCO CalComp both sell instant feedback
devices that allow for student input and participation. These
small RF transceivers can be used for class votes (e.g., "How
many believe John Kerry will win the November election?")
or pop quizzes.
If customization is high on your must-have
feature list, be sure to ask vendors if their whiteboard software
allows you to program the Softkeys and Toolbox areas. These
command buttons launch Web sites, applications, files, and
presentation tools from the board as you teach, and control
functions such as time stamps, calculators, and grid design.
Customizable toolboxes, such as those provided
by Promethean, Numonics, SMART, and GTCO CalComp, let you
choose which functions these buttons command, similar to how
Microsoft Word lets you customize the toolbar buttons on the
top of your computer screen.
It's important to assess how the whiteboard
system will fit into your school environment. Do you want
front or rear projection? Are you interested in rolling the
system from class to class, or would it be better off permanently
installed in one place? Size is a consideration as well. Measured
on the diagonal, whiteboards range from 40 to 84 inches, so
the model you choose will depend on how much surface area
you want and have available.
Almost all digital whiteboards come with USB
connectivity, but the trend is toward wireless, and most vendors
offer it. Some build it right in to their products, while
others provide adapters that allow users to add wireless capability
to USB-connected models. Whether you buy the wireless model
now or convert your trusty USB device to wireless later, expect
it to add $300-$400 to your purchase.
What
is a Whiteboard ? | Interactive
Whiteboards In The Classroom |
Advantages
Of Using An Interactive Whiteboard |
How
to use whiteboards |
Interactive
Whiteboard Tips | Buying
an Interactive Whiteboard | Interactive
Whiteboard Evaluation|
SMART
Board for Smart Teaching |
