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Information About

Interactive Whiteboard





An Interactive Whiteboard is a dry-erase Whiteboard writing surface which can capture writing electronically. Interactive whiteboards require a computer. Some interactive whiteboards also allow interaction with a projected computer image. They are most commonly used in the Office or Classroom .

Interactive whiteboards are used in one of two ways:
# To capture notes written on the Whiteboard surface using dry-erase ink or
# To control (click and drag) and/or mark-up (annotate) a computer-generated image projected on the whiteboard surface from a digital projector.

Interactive whiteboards are largely taking over from blackboards and whiteboards. They work as a large computer screen by projecting the computer image onto the board via an external projector and the computer can actually be controlled via the board, there are sensors on the board and when they are activated in different places it points the cursor to that point. There are three different types of board with different ways of controlling the computer via the board, electromagnetic, touch-sensitive and infrared.


HOW IT WORKS


The interactive whiteboard connects to a computer with a USB or Serial Port cable. Some whiteboards draw power from the computer. Usually, Device Driver software is loaded into the attached computer. The whiteboard driver automatically starts when the computer is turned on, and the interactive whiteboard becomes active once the driver is running.

A Digital Projector can be connected to your computer and focused on the whiteboard surface to project a computer image. In most cases, it is necessary to tell the interactive whiteboard where the projected image is located on the whiteboard by touching one or more locations on the whiteboard surface with the Stylus . This process is called alignment or calibration. A few newer interactive whiteboards can automatically detect projected images and do not require this step.

The driver converts contact with the interactive whiteboard into Mouse Click s or Digital Ink .

There are a variety of technologies used in interactive whiteboards:
  • Touch-Sensitive - Two electrically conductive sheets are separated by a small gap of air. When they touch, electrical contact is made. The Resistance or Capacitance changes in the sheets establishes the (X,Y) location of the touch. This technology has a soft writing surface and allows one to use a finger, a dry-erase marker, or a Stylus on the whiteboard.


In other words, when you push against the board using a special pen or your finger, two metal sheets push together therefore creating an electrical signal and repeating that to the computer.

  • Electromagnetic - An array of wires behind the board interacts with a coil in the Stylus tip to determine the (X,Y) coordinate of the stylus. Styli are either active (require a battery or wire back to the whiteboard) or passive (alter electrical signals produced by the board, but contain no power source). This technology usually has a hard writing surface, but requires a special stylus—dry-erase markers and touch cannot be used.


In other words, there are magnetic sensors in the board that react and send a message back to the computer when they are activated by a magnetic pen.

  • Laser - An Infrared Laser is located in each upper corner of the whiteboard. The laser beam sweeps across the whiteboard surface (much like a Lighthouse sweeps light across the ocean) by using a rotating mirror. Reflectors on the stylus or marker reflect the laser beam back to the source and the (X,Y) position can be triangulated. This technology has a hard (usually ceramic on steel) surface, which has the longest life and erases most cleanly. Markers and styli are passive, but must have reflective tape to work. Touch cannot be used.

  • Ultrasonic and Infrared - When pressed to the whiteboard surface, the marker or stylus sends out both an Ultrasonic sound and an Infrared light. Two ultrasonic Microphones listen for the sound and measure the difference in the sound's arrival time, providing enough information to triangulate the location of the marker or stylus. This technology allows whiteboards to be made of any material, but requires an active dry-erase marker or stylus. Touch cannot be used.



CLASSROOM USES

Interactive whiteboards are used in many schools as replacements for traditional Whiteboard s and to provide ways to show students material on the computer (educational software, web sites, etc.). Projectors, which are used on interactive whiteboards, can also be connected to a Video Recorder or DVD Player eliminating the need for a Television in the classroom. The interactive whiteboard also allows students to come up and solve puzzles and math problems, demonstrate their knowledge in a particular subject, and allows the teacher to keep notes on the lesson.




Literature Reviews

There are a number of recent literature reviews and papers on the use of interactive whiteboards in the classroom:

Beauchamp, G and parkinson, J (2005) Beyond the wow factor: developing interactivity with the interactive whiteboard. School Science Review (86) 316: 97-103.

Glover, D and Miller, D, Averis, D and Door, V. (2005) The interactive whiteboard: a literature survery. Technology, Pedagogy and Education (14) 2: 155-170.

Smith, H.J. , Higgins, S., Wall, K., and Miller, J. (2005) Interactive whiteboards: boon or bandwagon? A critical review of the literature, Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 21(2),pp.91- 101.


OFFICE USES

Interactive whiteboards are used in office environments to capture meeting notes and to work on collaborative projects. They are particularly useful with interactive applications, such as presentation software (e.g. Microsoft PowerPoint ), Computer-aided Design (CAD) packages, etc.


ACCESSORIES

A variety of accessories are available for interactive whiteboards:
  • Projector - Allows control of a computer from the whiteboard

  • Track - Allows the whiteboard to be placed over a traditional Whiteboard , Tackboard , etc. to provide additional wall space at the front of the room. Some tracks provide power and data to the whiteboard as well.

  • Mobile stand - Allows the interacive whiteboard to move between rooms. Many are height adjustable as well.

  • Printer - Allows copies of the whiteboard notes to be made.

  • Slate or tablet - Allows students control of the whiteboard away from the front of the room.

  • Voting system - Allows students to answer test questions posted on the whiteboard.

  • Wireless unit - Allows the interactive whiteboard to operate without wires to the computer.

  • Remote control - Allows the presenter to control the board from different parts of the room, and eliminates on-screen toolbars.

  • SEE ALSO



MANUFACTURERS



Software

  • Ideal Resources Australia & New Zealand - Interactive software for Primary Stage

  • [http://www.echalk.de E-Chalk: System for recording and transmitting interactive whiteboard classes through the Internet]