How does an interactive whiteboard work when there is no board?

Sunday, November 29th, 2009 | IWBs

Technology is advancing at such a rapid pace that interactive classrooms are now possible without a physical interactive whiteboard. How does it work?

A tracking device – based on technologies such as ultrasound or infrared – points to a surface on which images are projected. This surface could be a normal white board or even a wall painted white. The tracking device scans the surface for contacts made with a special pen or stylus and interprets them as interactions with the system.

Though the technology differs from the hard and soft boards, the functionality of these devices is similar – so similar that these interactive classroom systems are also called interactive whiteboards, even though a special board is not part of the technology.

The greatest advantage of theses alternative technologies is that they are cheaper than other types of interactive whiteboards. Tracking devices are less expensive than the hard and soft boards – they could come at half the cost of their board equivalents. Of course, the cost of that data projector, pen (or stylus) and computer remains the same.

Since the tracking device is easier to move and be stored in a safe place than a big board, there is also a security advantage to such a system.

Is portability an advantage? Only if you really need to move your interactive device from room to room. The value of portability is debatable.

Teachers who are not familiar with technology often find it easier to adapt to the interactive classroom if a physical board – one that they can touch and feel and is similar to the one they’re used to – is part of the package.

How would you know if this type of technology is for you? The best way is to explore its usage by attending demonstrations, talking to other teachers who are using it, and if at all possible, playing around with it.

Click here for more information about interactive whiteboards.

Tags: IWBs

3 Comments to How does an interactive whiteboard work when there is no board?

Kathy
Sunday, 29 November, 2009

Like many primary school teachers, I like touchy-feely, tactile things. Having got used to the soft “give” of the surface of a SMART board, and the ease with which I can pick up a coloured pen (and change the colours of the pens – to flourescent pink or rainbow stripes or smiley faces…), not to mention the amazing notebook software that I am only just beginning to learn about… it would be a bit of a come-down to be writing on a roughly plastered wall with my finger.

Mike Summers
Monday, 30 November, 2009

Interesting. I was unaware of this technology. For schools on limited budgets, I would imagine that this could provide a cost effective introduction to whiteboard use. Thank you for this informative blog.

Charmaine Friel
Tuesday, 1 December, 2009

The devices which can make a wall or board interactive cannot work on a rough surface – the surface must be smooth. These devices also require a stylus which is used as a pen and a mouse. The beauty about these devices is that they can be attached permanently to a wall or a board. Having a permanent fixed IWB device is far preferable to having to move units around from room to room. The other advantage to these units is that you can make an area of up to 2m x 2.5m interactive as long as you have the right ( lumens) data projector. A mobile pad or slate can be used in conjunction with the stylus on the board. Using a stylus or finger is a matter of personal choice.

The comment by Mike Summers: ” I was unaware of this technology. For schools on limited budgets, I would imagine that this could provide a cost effective introduction to whiteboard use”: These cost effective devices have exactly the same functionality, powerful & easy to use software, durablity, backup and support as other IWB’s,so can be used as fully functional IWB’s, not just as an “introduction” to the technology.

Subscribe RSS Feed now