Digital Whiteboards: Why You Need One For Your Business or Classroom.

How could your business benefit from purchasing and using a digital whiteboard? A digital whiteboard is connected to your computer so it simplifies meetings and literally puts everyone on the same page. You have the ability to make comments and notations over the top of programs to make a point or highlight information. You can navigate the Internet and everyone in the room can see the web pages you are viewing. A digital whiteboard will enhance any presentation as everyone in the room can see your visuals without eyestrain or changing their location. You can also connect your whiteboard to video conferencing systems or send the information to a PDA, enabling anyone in a different location to work with you on spreadsheets, designs, or other projects. This technology can decrease travel costs and increase your productivity.

They are great for classrooms as well. By using a whiteboard anyone can contribute to the discussion by drawing directly on the whiteboard. You can display DVD or movie files from your PC onto the whiteboard and no matter where a student is sitting they will be able to see. Many companies also create software specifically for primary and secondary educational settings, which include music, math, or sports templates. There is something for any class or teacher. So the real question isn’t why should you use a digital whiteboard, but which one is right for you?

There are two types of technology and two distinct formats that digital whiteboards use and it is important to know the differences in order to purchase the right one to meet your specific needs.

First, you need to know what technologies are used. In order to work correctly the software must be able to tell where you are touching the screen and there are two types of software to do this.

Electromagnetic Scanning Technology:
This requires the use of a special pen and the frame of the whiteboard detects where you have placed the pen. This type of software will usually include several pens, for multiple users or if you lose one. If the whiteboard screen is damaged you can simply replace the screen.  The Quartet IdeaShare Interactive Whiteboard is an example of an electromagnetic scanning whiteboard and comes with several pens and a stylus.

• Ideal for secondary schools, or students who are used to using pens.
• Businesses where employees primarily use pens may prefer this, as it is easier to use for everyone.

Resistive Technology:
This technology works because there are two little pieces of resistive material that have a small space between them to sense where a person is touching the screen. The coordinates of this touch are then sent to the computer monitor. You can order a GBC Quartet Q8000 Portable IdeaShare if you prefer finger touch technology.

• Finger touch is ideal for primary schools as children can use their hands to touch the screen. This increases their interaction and enthusiasm for learning.
• In hospitals or other medical offices, the finger touch may be preferred as it is easier to drag photos, diagrams, and slides.
• You do not need a special stylus to use this type of digital whiteboard, so the worry of losing the pen is obsolete and convenient for people who cannot carry a special stylus with them.

Some software companies produce both pen and finger whiteboards so a school can have both types on campus but teachers/students only need to learn how to use one kind of software.

As well as offering two types of technology, digital whiteboards also come in two formats; front or rear projection.

Front Projection:
This type of machine will sit in front of the whiteboard and projects the computer image onto the screen. They can be set onto a table or mounted on the ceiling.

This type of format is ideal for:

• Teachers or presenters who like to instruct/speak from the front of the class.

Rear Projection:
The difference from front projection is that a rear projector is mounted behind the whiteboard. There are cabinets that enclose the mounted projector and use mirrors to propel the image onto the screen. Although this is more expensive than a front projector there are several benefits:

• There is no shadow on the whiteboard.
• There is not a danger of someone damaging his or her eyes by accidentally looking directly into the projector beam.
• The cabinets are large enough to house a base computer system, DVD/Video recorder, and the cable management software to connect a visiting laptop.

All interactive whiteboards are accompanied with software that enables you to use it as a copy board. You can either use a finger or pen, depending on the board you have, and draw images on the board and then save them to the computer. With these saved images you can email or print them. Some kinds of software come with Optical Character Recognition (OCR), which recognizes handwriting on the screen and creates computer text.

No matter what your business or educational needs are, a digital whiteboard can help you. They increase your effectiveness and productivity and can decrease travel costs and hours preparing presentations or lesson plans.

SlapItUp™ Static Wall Clings: The Most Practical Thing You Can Hang Almost Anywhere!

Have you ever discovered artwork or writing on your walls from your children at home or in school, or wished you could write on the wall yourself to illustrate a point in the classroom or a meeting? Now you can solve all of these problems with SlapItUp^TM wall clings.

SlapItUp^TM Is:
A design of wall clings made of a plastic polymer in various sizes and shapes. These pieces of plastic polymer are then charged with electricity so that they will cling to a clean dry indoor surface.

The electrical charge set in the film that you purchase will last between 3 months to 3 years depending on use but you can refresh a piece by sticking it to a television screen and turning the power on and leaving it on for two minutes. SlapItUp^TM wall clings can also be recharged without a television. Simply use a dry piece of wool cloth and gently rub it over the piece of cling to revitalize the electricity This recharges the wall cling by moving the electricity from the television screen or wool cloth to your SlapItUp^TM wall cling.

Some SlapItUp^TM wall clings are sold blank so that you can write on them. Be sure to only use a dry erase marker to write on them and a clean dry cloth to wipe any markings off. SlapItUp^TM wall clings are also environmentally friendly as they can be recycled and use special ink.

Wall Clings You Can Purchase:
The following items are designed for continued reuse. There is a backing that needs to be slowly removed before they will stick to a clean dry surface area indoors, but once placed you can keep a cling stationary for up to 6 months or place it somewhere else. You can write on them with a dry erase marker and clean them with a clean dry cloth or an eraser.

Blank Roll (29″ x 30′)
Keep this roll as one large static wall cling or cut several slammers to use for many purposes.

Blank Roll (33″ x 15′)                                                                                                          
This roll can also be kept as one large sheet or cut into smaller sections.

Graph Sheets (18″ x 24″)
This comes with 15 sheets of graph sheets, which have 1″ square rulings on them.

Use the above products for:

• Brainstorming ideas for home, business meetings, or classroom discussions.
• Wall Art! Kids can now draw on the wall without ruining paint or other finishes.
• School projects in the classroom or hallways. 

Alphabet, Number, and Symbol Packs
These packs include 276 numbers, letters (lower and uppercase), and symbols that are each 3 ¾” x 5 ¾” in size. Each set of numbers, letters, and symbols come in their own 3 ring binders to help keep them organized. These also have a similar backing as the other wall clings so that they will not stick to each other. They come in 4 choices of colors: Red, Blue, Black, and Multicolor.

Use these to:

• Aid in home schooling or as teaching aids for children in schools.
• Decorations that will help children learn while playing in their bedrooms.
• Business meetings or offices.

There is a wall cling for almost every need in your home, office, or classroom. Discover this useful green product that is made to be durable and easy to use.