What is an interactive whiteboard?
Saturday, July 25th, 2009 | IWBs
One of the suppliers of interactive whiteboards (IWBs) uses the slogan: Extraordinary made simple. While the effect of an IWB in a classroom is extraordinary, it is quite simple to understand the concept.
The interactive whiteboard itself is only one of three pieces of equipment that you need to produce a miracle in the classroom. These components, which must be linked together, are:
A computer – this can be a laptop or a desktop computer.
A data projector – it can be mounted from the ceiling, or placed on a table or mobile trolley.
The interactive board – in most cases the board is mounted permanently on a wall, but portable boards are available too.
When these three components are combined the interactive whiteboard becomes a large computer screen. Everything that appears on the computer’s screen is beamed through the data projector onto the board. But the amazing thing is that you can use a penlike stylus – or sometimes even your finger – to write on the board. You can likewise tap on the board in the same way as you would click with a mouse. Whatever you do on the board is sent via an electronic message to your computer.
The interactive whiteboard acts as a screen, mouse and keyboard at the same time – these features make it interactive. In a way the IWB can be compared to a big touch-sensitive screen.
The technology is amazing – the effect is astounding – but the concept is simple to understand.
Click here for more information about interactive whiteboards.
7 Comments to What is an interactive whiteboard?
I love the concept of interactive whiteboard. I made one last year using a wiimote, a bluetooth adaptor, and a special pen that wiipenmaker made.
ALBIEMonday, 27 July, 2009
The EIAWB got more “interactive” components – the educator + learner and their “ideas” + cell phone + blue tooth devices + Windows Media Player + Graphics + Motion + Sound + Internet + Google and so on and on…So all “other electronic” devices and many more similiar “interactive” action that can be performed on the board, makes it interactvie with that “device”.
By just standing @ the EIAWB and “touchning” the surface, you can activate (thus becomes interactive)other devices to be displayed on the EIAWB. Why I like the terh Electronic InterActive WhiteBoard (EIAWB) = Electronic = other equipment e.g. scanner or camera; Inter = inside the classroom; Activ e more than one “activity or action”; WhiteBoard is self explanatory.
Albie
@Andrea Keller
I have seen a video where Johnny Lee, who developed the idea of creating your own low cost interactive whiteboard demonstrates it. I am quite interested. Could you share your experiences – how you did it and how effective it is? Do you have a blog where you described any of this?
Have a look at http://www.traceboard.co.za
for a good value for money interactive white board.
Western cape representative- Manus:
manus.altmann@gmail.com
TussyThursday, 3 September, 2009
I need a functional and low cost interactive whiteboard for schools in Africa. Where can I get it?
GerhardCFriday, 5 February, 2010
I am looking for a normal “old” non-interactive whiteboad for a classroom, our school cannot afford Laptop/computer + dataprojector. – Please tell me where I can get whiteboards.- gerhardc@nedbank.co.za
GerhardC, you can obtain these boards from most stationers (such as Waltons) or companies selling office furniture and supplies.
Leave a comment
Tags
Categories
- Blogging
- communication
- Computer Usage
- e-Learning pioneers
- education
- Employment
- Feasibility
- Gadgets
- ICT in Africa
- Implementation Issues
- Installation
- internet
- IWBs
- laptops
- Learners
- Maintenance
- Miscelaneous
- Personal Learning Networks
- Projects
- resources
- security
- software
- Sustainability
- technology
- Tips
- training
- Uncategorized
Sunday, 26 July, 2009