Interactive Whiteboard and Its Impact
Interactive whiteboard is a modern solution to the classroom’s blackboard. An interactive whiteboard is actually a giant computer screen with a capability to sense touch or specially designed pen. The board is typically mounted on a wall or stand. Its versatility has actually helped it to be used in a variety of applications like classroom education, professional coaching, corporate workgroups, broadcasting studios and much more.
Technical aspects: The computer connects to the interactive whiteboard through almost any means of communication – serial cable, Bluetooth, USB and Wi-Fi. The screen also doubles up as a human interface device (HID). Higher end models have options to be used to invoke as a hand writing input tool or an onscreen keyboard. These lessen the need for the computer interface at all while using the whiteboard. The device can also emulate virtual versions of paper and tools like ruler, compasses, and protractors to replace traditional teaching tools.
Common modes of operation: The interactive whiteboard operates through various methods. The modes of operation fall into one of the three broad categories.
• These whiteboards are based on the principle of resistive touch. A transparent membrane covers the whole surface of the board. When a person touches and presses the surface of the whiteboard, the membrane is deformed and it touches a conducting plate positioned at the back of the display. This is registered as an equivalent of a mouse click event. Most people claim that this is the most easy and intuitive way to interface with the interactive whiteboard.
• Electromagnetic pen is another alternative to the resistive touch principle. The “pen” in most common cases is actually passive and can function without any batteries or switches. These modify the signals produced by the board surface when brought very close to it. The advanced versions also have right click mouse options and emulate a mouse much better when considering accuracy and clicking options. It also has an added advantage over resistive touch is that; there is no problem if the user presses a part of the board by mistake or his body other than fingers touch the board surface. This is the most common variety used by artists and designers.
• IR based interactive board is the yet another option. This is a more expensive option. An infrared camera tracks the invisible dots produced by a remote. This is also a very accurate emulation of the mouse but it lacks large good software support.
Impact on learning: The impact of interactive whiteboards on learning is still a little disputed. The classroom becomes more responsive with the interactive whiteboards, students put in more enthusiasm, and the learning process is also very fast. The learning in other words is effortless. Electronic study material also complement hugely to the success of the interactive whiteboard. The feedback is rapid and the sheer interest of the device even opens up the shyest of guys. Yet there are some real disadvantages that cannot be overlooked. The board is a bit too pricey for common institutions and the price shoots up with the use of more advanced materials. Software crashing can lead to a whole new lot of problems never faced by the real blackboards. Overall it can be concluded that this should be recommended only for those who actually need this as in case of conference and meetings and not used everywhere it seems to have an application.
