Electronic Whiteboards: Another Tool in a Teacher’s Toolbox Presented by: Kristen Kelly

What is an Electronic Whiteboard? Features and functions can be diverse, but certain functions are constant among all products: Capture hand-written annotations and drawings Capture hand-written annotations and drawings Store this info for future use Store this info for future use  Print out  Floppy disk or hard drive  HTML document for web posting

Common In-Demand Features Whiteboard’s ability to interface with computer and/or projector Whiteboard’s ability to interface with computer and/or projector  This enables traditional software applications to be demonstrated or taught in a new and more effective way

Where have you seen this before? Remember John Madden’s commentary on NFL games? The Telestrator he used was a conducive film overlay on a television monitor, an early form of an electronic whiteboard. It is also on display and open to public use at Walt Disney’s EPCOT Center.

History and Evolution of Electronic Whiteboards Leonard Reiffel, an electronics prodigy, is credited with its invention Leonard Reiffel, an electronics prodigy, is credited with its invention Reiffel revised the Telestator he created into the Discon teleconferencing system, which he introduced to the business world in 1981 Reiffel revised the Telestator he created into the Discon teleconferencing system, which he introduced to the business world in 1981 As businesses adopted the Discon and its variations by competitors, educators began to imagine its use in academia As businesses adopted the Discon and its variations by competitors, educators began to imagine its use in academia

History and Evolution of Electronic Whiteboards In 1998, Georgia Tech adopted and initiated a project created by part if its College of Computing and Graphics, Visualization and Usability Center In 1998, Georgia Tech adopted and initiated a project created by part if its College of Computing and Graphics, Visualization and Usability Center  This Classroom 2000 project had a primary goal of providing electronic whiteboards in all campus classrooms

Growing Popularity of Electronic Whiteboards In October 2003, the Thomaston-Upson County School District in rural Georgia became the first reported public school system to install electronic whiteboards in every district K-12 classroom In October 2003, the Thomaston-Upson County School District in rural Georgia became the first reported public school system to install electronic whiteboards in every district K-12 classroom

An Example

Various Products Overview 1.Small receivers attach to a traditional whiteboard with suction cups. Receivers detect and transfer annotations on whiteboard to a connected computer, saved to disk, or printed immediately after completion. Some do not require computer connection but can store info internally for later download through a USB port Some do not require computer connection but can store info internally for later download through a USB port

2.Plasma overlay, fitted on computer screen, use infared sensors to detect writing from digital ink, or on-screen finger taps

3. Simple graphic tablets can be connected to a computer to allow teacher to make annotations on computer presentation  Example, circling important points of a PowerPoint presentation

4. One of the newest products use cameras mounted in the corners of a traditional whiteboard to determine exact location of a finger or marker on the board.  Does not require special markers for detection, which can make it an attractive product for schools

All of these variations can be connected to projectors mounted in the front, rear or ceiling of classroom to make presentation visible to moderate and large audiences

What does it Cost? Costs vary widely depending upon the product, its functions, and the manufacturer Costs vary widely depending upon the product, its functions, and the manufacturer Examples: Examples:  Graphics tablets can be as little as $100  SmartBoard, one of the most inclusive of functions useful in academic settings, sells a basic unit for $1600  Several mid-range products and accessories range form $600 to over $2000

Applications in Classrooms Demonstrations Demonstrations  Helpful in computer classes by enabling teacher to mark on computer screen exactly what student should look at or click on

One Computer Classrooms One Computer Classrooms  For schools that can only afford one computer per room, a whiteboard is less expensive than more computers and can allow entire class to be actively involved in computer activities Distance Learning Distance Learning  Lecture notes placed on web can enhance distance learning students educational experience

Save to disk, save to web, print features Save to disk, save to web, print features  Accurate record of class lecture and discussion for student  Students can focus more on discussion rather than taking notes  Accurate record for teachers  Teacher may think of important point during one lecture that he may not think of in future lectures  Useful in creating tests

A long way from John Madden’s “chalkboard” The Thomaston-Upson County school district installed the ACTIVboard system The Thomaston-Upson County school district installed the ACTIVboard system  Includes an accessory that allows teachers and students to control the whiteboard from anywhere in room  Also, a wireless student peripheral allows teacher to gain instant feedback

Picture of Use in Classroom

This district, as well as other individual schools and colleges reported use of electronic whiteboards have enhanced both the teaching and learning environments This district, as well as other individual schools and colleges reported use of electronic whiteboards have enhanced both the teaching and learning environments

Advantages in Classrooms Accommodate different learning styles Accommodate different learning styles  Tactile learners  Audio learners  Visual learners Large format aids students with disabilities or limited motor skills Large format aids students with disabilities or limited motor skills

Color capabilities Color capabilities  Students tend to respond better to color presentations Group Interaction Group Interaction  Students tend to want to participate in discussion because use of electronic whiteboard is an attractive novelty to them  Interactivity means students learn better

Whiteboard’s ability to interface with document and video cameras Whiteboard’s ability to interface with document and video cameras Teacher and student have an accurate record of class lecture and discussion for future reference Teacher and student have an accurate record of class lecture and discussion for future reference

Disadvantages in Classrooms Depending on exact model, screen size can be small and restrictive Depending on exact model, screen size can be small and restrictive  62 inch diagonal area is small when viewed by 20, 40, even 60 students Use can be complicated and require training, which can be intimidating and prevent teachers from using it in class Use can be complicated and require training, which can be intimidating and prevent teachers from using it in class

Computers driving the whiteboard need to be upgraded every few years – expensive as compared to traditional chalkboards that can last 15 to 20 years Computers driving the whiteboard need to be upgraded every few years – expensive as compared to traditional chalkboards that can last 15 to 20 years High price tag can prevent schools from even seriously discussing purchase, regardless of its benefits High price tag can prevent schools from even seriously discussing purchase, regardless of its benefits

Questions Comments