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Information about Interactive Whiteboard



An interactive whiteboard is a large interactive display that connects to a computer and projector. A projector projects the computer’s desktop onto the board’s surface, where users control the computer using a pen, finger or other device. The board is typically mounted to a wall or on a floor stand.

Basically, an interactive whiteboard is a type of touch-sensitive computer screen. They are used in a variety of settings such as in classrooms of all levels of education, in corporate board rooms and work groups, in training rooms for professional sports coaching, broadcasting studios and more.

Uses for interactive whiteboards include
  1. Operating any software that is loaded onto the connected PC, including Internet browsers or proprietary software
  2. Using software to capture notes written on a whiteboard or whiteboard-like surface
  3. Controlling the PC (click and drag), mark-up (annotating a program or presentation) and translating cursive writing to text (not all whiteboards)

Operation

The interactive whiteboard is connected to a computer through a wired medium (USB, a serial port cable) or with a wireless connection (Bluetooth). Usually, the device driver software is loaded onto 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.

The driver converts contact or position with the interactive whiteboard into mouse clicks or digital ink. This can be done by a tactile surface or though a positional system such as infrared.

There are six different types of interactive whiteboard that control the computer via the board: electromagnetic, analog-resistive, infrared optical, laser, ultra-sonic, and camera-based (optical).
  • Analog-resistive — Two electrically conductive sheets are separated by a small air gap. Touching the surface of the board presses these sheets togheter, closing the gap and establishing electrical contact. The resistance changes in the sheets establish the precise (X,Y) location of the touch. This technology allows one to use a finger, a dry-erase marker, or a stylus on the whiteboard. The full range of mouse functions, including mouseover, hover effects and right click, are usually supported with this type of interactive whiteboard.
  • 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). 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. Electromagnetic models enable the user's wrist or hand to rest on the whiteboard when writing. These types of board usually support the full range of mouse functions, mouseover, hover effects and right click.
  • Capacitive — Just like the electromagnetic type, the capacitive type works with an array of wires behind the board. In this case however the wires interact with fingers touching the screen. The interaction between the different wires (laminated in a patented X- and Y-axis manner) and the tip of the finger is measured and calculated to a (x,y) coordinate. No pen is needed to touch the screen, and all the electronics are behind the screen, invisible and protected against vandalism.
  • 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 receive the sound and measure the difference in the sound's arrival time, and 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.
  • Optical and Infrared — When pressed to the whiteboard surface, the finger or marker sees the infrared light. Software then manipulates the information to triangulate the location of the marker or stylus. This technology allows whiteboards to be made of any material; with this system no dry-erase marker or stylus is needed.
Some interactive whiteboards have an active surface that works with software applications. These not only captures annotations, but completely emulates the mouse and keyboard. They control pop-ups, hints, hyperlinks and mouseovers. This is different than a touch sensitive resistive board, that is limited to an on/off action interpretation on its surface. When coupled with an active board surface, whiteboard pens also offer a mouse right-click function that is so often used in digital content and programs. This means they can write like a pen and control like a mouse. Some boards allow a user to control the board with their finger instead of a pen.

Interactive whiteboards have similar problems to regular whiteboards and some are definitely more delicate. Permanent markers can be a very serious problem on some interactive whiteboard surfaces. Sometimes students and teachers forget some of these surfaces can be punctured, dented and damaged in the course of instruction.

Front and rear projection

Interactive whiteboards are available in two forms: front projection and rear projection.
  • Front Projection Whiteboards have a video projector in front of the whiteboard. The only disadvantage to these boards is that if the presenter must stand in front of the screen and their body will cast a shadow. Presenters quickly learn to compensate for the shadow by slightly extending their arm with or without a stylus. Some manufacturers also provide an option to raise and lower the display to accommodate users of different heights. An active wand is also available from some manufacturers of electromagnetic boards to provide a pointing and writing device combined into one.
  • Rear Projection Whiteboard projectors are located behind the whiteboard so that no shadows occur. Rear projection whiteboards are also advantageous because the presenter does not have to look into the projector light while speaking to the audience. The disadvantage to these systems are that they are generally more expensive than front projection whiteboards, are often large, the video quality and angle for viewing is often problematic, and cannot be mounted flush on a wall; however, "in-wall" installations are possible.

Short Throw Projection systems and interactive whiteboards

Some manufacturers offer Short Throw Projection systems in which the projector is much closer to the interactive whiteboard board surface and projects down at an angle of around 45 degrees. These vastly reduce the shadow effects of traditional front projection systems. The risk of projector theft, which is problematic for some school districts, is reduced by integrating the projector with the interactive whiteboard. Reduced installation costs make these very cost effective.

Calibration

In most cases, the touch surface must be calibrated with the display image. This process involves displaying a sequence of dots on the touch surface and having the user select these dots either with a stylus or using their finger. This process is called alignment, calibration, or orientation.

A few interactive whiteboards can automatically detect projected images during a different type of calibration. The technology was developed by Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc and is disclosed in patent 7,001,023. The computer projects a Gray Code sequence of white and black bars on the touch surface and light sensitive sensors behind the touch surface detect the light passing through the touch surface. This sequence allows the computer to align the touch surface with the display; however, it has the disadvantage of having "dead spots" in the analog-resistive touch surface where the light sensors are present. The "dead spots" do not allow touches in that area to be presented to the computer.

Classroom uses

The Harnessing Technology schools survey 2007 carried out in the UK by BECTa, reveals that Interactive whiteboards are in place in almost all schools (98% of secondary and 100% of primary schools); they are intensively used, and, on average, highly rated by teachers on fitness for purpose. They also state that a majority of teachers believe that use of ICT resources save, rather than cost them time; the interactive whiteboard is particularly mentioned as a time saving device.

Interactive whiteboards are used in many schools as replacements for traditional whiteboards or flipcharts. They provide ways to show students any thing which can be presented on a computer's desktop (educational software, web sites, and others). Projectors, which are used with the interactive whiteboards, can also be connected to a video recorder, a DVD player or utilise a school network digital video distribution system.

In addition, interactive whiteboards allow teachers to record their instruction and post the material for review by students at a later time. This can be a very effective instructional strategy for students who benefit from repetition, who need to see the material presented again, for students who are absent from school, for struggling learners, and for review for examinations. Brief instructional blocks can be recorded for review by students—they will see the exact presentation that occurred in the classroom with the teacher's audio input. This can help transform learning and instruction.

Many manufacturers are providing classroom response systems with their interactive whiteboard products. By bundling (free or for sale) classroom response systems with the interactive whiteboard, teachers are able to present material and receive feedback from the students. For example, the interactive whiteboard allows students to solve puzzles and math problems and demonstrate their knowledge. It also allows the teacher to keep notes, as an electronic file, on the lesson for later distribution either as a paper or any number of electronic formats.

Companies such as Teacher's Discovery and Teacher's Brunch focus on creating supplemental instructional materials specifically designed for Interactive whiteboards.

Academic literature reviews

There are a number of 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 survey. 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, Computer-aided design (CAD) packages, and others.

Associated equipment

A variety of accessories are available for interactive whiteboards:
  • Projector — Allows a computer display to be projected onto the whiteboard. 'Short Throw' projectors are available from some manufacturers that mount directly above the board minimising shadow effects.
  • Track — Allows the whiteboard to be placed over a traditional whiteboard or tackboard 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 interactive whiteboard to be moved 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.
  • Student Response System — Allows students to answer test questions posted on the whiteboard or take part in polls and surveys.
  • Wireless unit — Allows the interactive whiteboard to operate without wires to the computer, e.g. Bluetooth.
  • Remote control — Allows the presenter to control the board from different parts of the room and eliminates on-screen toolbars.

See also

External links

computer is a machine which manipulates data according to a list of instructions.

Computers take numerous physical forms. The first devices that resemble modern computers date to the mid-20th century (around 1940 - 1941), although the computer concept and various machines
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Projectors are used for displaying an image on a projection screen or similar surface for the view of an audience.
  • Video projectors
  • LCD projector

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Desktop may refer literally to the surface of a desk.

The information technology term desktop may refer to:
  • The area behind the windows in the desktop metaphor of computer user interfaces

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PEN may refer to:
  • International PEN, the worldwide association of writers
  • Penang International Airport in Penang, Malaysia (IATA airport code)
  • PEN, the ISO 4217 code for Peruvian nuevo sol, the currency of Peru
  • Polyethylene naphthalate, a polymer

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A finger is a type of digit, an organ of manipulation and sensation found in the hands of humans and other primates. Normally humans have five digits on each hand (exceptions are polydactyly, hypodactyly and digit loss).
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Device may refer to:

Computing and electronics

  • Computer hardware
  • Peripheral device, any device attached to a computer that expands its functionality
  • Device file, an interface for a device driver

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Touchscreens are display overlays which have the ability to display and receive information on the same screen. The effect of such overlays allows a display to be used as an input device, removing the keyboard and/or the mouse as the primary input device for interacting with the
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A computer display monitor, usually called simply a monitor, is a piece of electrical equipment which displays viewable images generated by a computer without producing a permanent record.
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A classroom is a room in which teaching or learning takes place and which can be found in all kinds of educational institutions. It is supposed to provide an appropriate learning environment for instructors to give lessons to students.
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Education encompasses teaching and learning specific skills, and also something less tangible but more profound: the imparting of knowledge, positive judgment and well-developed wisdom.
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Business law
Business organizations
Basic forms:
Sole proprietorship
Corporation
Partnership
(General · Limited · LLP)
Cooperative
USA:
Business trust · LLC · LLLP
Delaware corporation
Nevada corporation
UK/Commonwealth:
Limited company
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professional can be either a person in a profession (certain types of skilled work requiring formal training/education) or in sports (a sportsman/sportwoman doing sports for payment).
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In sports, a coach or manager is an individual involved in the direction and instruction of the on-field operations of an athletic team or of individual athletes. Coaching entails the application of sport tactics and strategies during the game or contest itself, and usually
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Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and/or video signals which transmit programs to an audience. The audience may be the general public or a relatively large sub-audience, such as children or young adults.
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studio is an artist's workroom, or an artist and his or her employees who work within that studio. This can be for the purpose of painting, pottery (ceramics), sculpture, photography,graphic design, cinematography, animation, radio or television broadcasting or the making of music.
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Computer software is a general term used to describe a collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform some task on a computer system. [1]
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PC may stand for:
  • Pachyonychia congenita, a genetic skin disorder
  • Personal computer, the primary computing device for consumers, usually referring to Windows (vs. Mac) computers.

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A web browser is a software application that enables a user to display and interact with text, images, videos, music and other information typically located on a Web page at a website on the World Wide Web or a local area network.
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Proprietary software (also called non-free software or closed-source software) is software with restrictions on using, copying and modifying as enforced by the proprietor.
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Note, notes, or NOTE may refer to:
  • Note, a musical note
  • Banknote, a form of cash currency, also known as bill in the United States and Canada

Writing, texts and documents

  • Notebook, a book of blank paper for writing

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In computer graphical user interfaces, drag-and-drop is the action of (or support for the action of) clicking on a virtual object and dragging it to a different location or onto another virtual object.
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markup.

For generic discussions of markup in various contexts, see:
  • Markup language — a type of language that describes a document's formatting
  • Markup (business) — a term for the increase in the price of goods to create a profit margin for a business.

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Program may refer to:
  • An architectural brief
  • Computer program
  • Radio programming, or a radio program
  • Television program
  • Webcast
  • Program (management)
  • 12-step program
  • Program (The Animatrix), a short film in The Animatrix series

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Presentation is the process of presenting the content of a topic to an audience. A presentation program, such as OpenOffice.org Impress, Apple Keynote, i-Ware CD Technologies' PMOS or Microsoft PowerPoint, is often used to generate the presentation content.
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For the indie rock band, see Cursive (band).
Cursive is any style of handwriting which is designed for writing down notes and letters by hand. In the Latin and Cyrillic languages the letters in a word are connected, making a word one single complex stroke.
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TEXT is the band founded by three of the four ex-members of hardcore band Refused. Stylistically, they have little in common with Refused apart from this fact. Their debut album, Text, is a mix of spoken word, music of various styles, and ambient sound effects, often producing an
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Wire(s) or Wired may refer to:
  • Wire, a strand of drawn metal used especially in electrical conductors
  • Wire transfer, for transferring money
  • Wire (band), a British post-punk band
  • The Wire (magazine), a British music magazine
  • The Wire

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Medium may refer to:

Communication

  • Data storage device, any physical material that records or holds recorded information
  • Art medium, materials and techniques used by artists to produce art works

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USB
Universal Serial Bus

Original USB Logo
Year created: January 1996


Width:
Number of devices: 127 per host
Capacity Up to 12Mbit/s (USB 1.0)
Up to 480 Mbit/s (USB 2.
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serial port is a serial communication physical interface through which information transfers in or out one bit at a time (contrast parallel port). Throughout most of the history of personal computers, data transfer through serial ports connected the computer to devices such as
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