Interactive whiteboard types
November 22nd, 2006Interactive Whiteboards can be categorized on the different criteria:
Front Projection Interactive Whiteboards
In front projection interactive whiteboards, the projector is placed in front of the whiteboard. The projector connected to computer projects the computer image on the whiteboard. The projector can be placed on the table or mounted on the ceiling. Front projection whiteboards come in different sizes ranging from around 45 to 104 inches diagonal size. They come either with a wall mount bracket, desktop stand or floor stand on wheels.
Front projection interactive whiteboards are cheaper than the rear projection interactive whiteboards and plasma overlays. They are also lighter than the rear projection and have bigger screen sizes than the plasma overlays. The drawback with front projection is that when the presenter stands in front of the whiteboard, he casts a shadow on the screen and may cause hindrance in image display when he moves across the projection. Also when facing the audience, he/she may have eye contact with the projection and has to look into the projector light.
Rear Projection Interactive Whiteboards
Rear projection interactive whiteboard look effectively like a big TV or a plasma screen having a cabinet behind that houses a projector and mirrors. They work similarly to the front projection whiteboards. Basically, in rear projection interactive whiteboards, the projector is mounted behind the whiteboard and a series of mirrors project the image on the screen.
The advantage of rear projection interactive whiteboard is that you don’t have any shadows cast by using it and also presenter doesn’t have to look into the projector light when speaking to the audience.
However these smart whiteboards are a little more costly than front projection units. They also take up more room as the back is bulkier due to housing the projector. However, there is also room in the cabinets for a computer base-unit; video recorder/DVD player and many have cable management systems for connecting to visiting laptop computers. In-wall systems are also available where the rear-projection whiteboard is built-into a wall that has an area behind it to house the projector. Partition walling, i.e. a false wall, is usually used. This gives a wonderful effect of a huge computer monitor on the wall. Rear projection interactive whiteboard prices are constantly dropping and are sure to replace front projection interactive whiteboards in the near future.
Portable Interactive Whiteboards
A portable interactive whiteboard system is a small device that is attached to a standard dry wipe whiteboard to convert it into an interactive whiteboard. They are also known as virtual electronic whiteboards. Portable interactive whiteboards are available for presentations on the move. Portable devices attach themselves with rubber suckers to standard dry-erase whiteboards to turn them into copyboards. They are then connected to the laptop or desktop computer, allowing you to write your notes or drawings on the whiteboard and download them onto your computer to save, print, fax or email them. You use specially designed pens to write on the whiteboard that use infra-red and ultrasound technology to determine where on the whiteboard you are writing. You can touch the board to control the computer mouse cursor. As you move the pen across the whiteboard, displaying the computer image, the mouse cursor follows. You simply tap the screen twice with your finger to perform the normal double-click as you would do with your mouse.
These devices are extremely portable and can be used on any whiteboard. These are ideal in classroom for making good use of existing standard whiteboards and in business for a portable interactive solution.
What are interactive whiteboard?
November 22nd, 2006Interactive whiteboard refers to electronic whiteboards which provide the facility to interact; you can touch the board to control it instead of using keyboard or mouse. It is an interactive whiteboard that is connected to a computer and a multimedia projector. Once the computer image is projected on the board you can move your finger across the whiteboard, displaying the computer image, the mouse cursor follows. You simply tap the screen twice with your finger to perform the normal double-click as you would do with your mouse. You can control most of the computer actions from the front of the class or meeting room by just interacting on surface of the board. You can also write or draw on the whiteboard with your finger or the pens provided and save the image to the computer. These images, which are your notes from the meeting or training session, can then be printed or emailed. The software included with some interactive whiteboards also has built in Optical Character Recognition, which means you can write on the screen and the computer will recognize your hand writing and turn it into computer text.
The interactive whiteboard – Setting up
November 22nd, 2006The interactive whiteboard draws its power from the computer, which is why your laptop should not be running on battery power when you connect the two.
The only cord you need to connect should already be connected to the interactive whiteboard on the bottom right corner (if you’re facing the board) and should not be unplugged when you finish. The other end of this cord has two connections; one that hooks to the mouse (PS/2) port of the laptop, and the other to the serial port. Note: the mouse hookup looks like it has two choices, but one is a plug (male end) the other is a port (female end) so only one will plug into the port on the laptop. If a PS/2 mouse is available, it may be plugged into the additional port so that you don’t have to use the touchpad on the laptop. Once you’re done with the above, you’re ready to go to work on your interactive whiteboard!
6 reasons why every teacher should have a Interactive whiteboard
November 22nd, 20061. Interactive whiteboards give the teacher instant access to a vast array of electronic resources. This makes learning much more exciting and breathes new life into old fashioned chalk-and-talk.
2. It enables seamless links to be made between the interactive whiteboard technology and the subject material.
3. The Interactive whiteboard is controlled by the teacher from the front of the classroom using an easy-to-use electronic pen. Teachers are rethinking their approach to teaching and having fun doing so.
4. Using electronic ink, the teacher can write over any image shown on the interactive whiteboard screen. These annotations can then be captured on an electronic flipchart. The flexibility and the scope for imaginative lesson planning are huge.
5. At the end of the lesson, flipchart pages can automatically be saved and can be printed, emailed or even pasted onto a website. This opens up possibilities for pupils to access lesson materials out of the lesson itself and for teachers to share lesson resources.
6. The flipchart files can be updated or merged with other Windows applications, which enables the teachers to save the best lessons and improve on them in their own time.
