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.