Evaluating Interactive Whiteboards for Education Checklist

1. Display Features

• Size offerings: Most classroom displays will be either 65” or 75” for optimum use in the classroom, but it’s important when evaluating interactive whiteboards for education that you are considering your size needs based on the size of your classrooms.

• Accessory options: Do you need your displays to be wall mounted or mounted over an existing whiteboard? Do you need the interactive display to be on a mobile cart? Does the mobile cart need to be height adjustable, motorized, or have the ability to go into tabletop mode?

• Visual quality: Choose an interactive whiteboard with a high-resolution display to ensure clear and vivid visuals. You should also opt for a display with an anti-glare surface to reduce eye strain and reflections, especially in well-lit classrooms.

• Audio quality: Is the speaker configuration suitable for your classroom? Do you need front-facing speakers or will a display with speakers located at the bottom (similar to a standard TV) suffice for your classroom needs? Is an integrated microphone necessary? These are all audio features to consider when evaluating interactive whiteboards for education.

• Intuitive user-friendly interface: Does the interactive whiteboard you’re evaluating have an interface that is user-friendly and easy to navigate, both for teachers and students?

2. Compatibility/Connectivity

• Operating system compatibility: When evaluating interactive whiteboards for education, check if the display is compatible with the devices and operating systems your school/district uses (Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android, iOS) commonly used in your school.

• Connectivity options: Ensure the interactive whiteboard offers a variety of connectivity options, such as HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, and WiFi, to accommodate different devices.

3. Software and Interactive Content/Tools

• Bundled software: Many manufacturers have their own software that they include with their interactive whiteboards for education. Evaluate the included software for things like ease of use, content creation capabilities, management features, hybrid learning tools, and compatibility with existing tools such as Google Drive or other educational platforms.

• Content library: Check if the whiteboard comes with a comprehensive library of interactive educational content and tools suitable for various subjects and grade levels.

• Screen recording/screenshot capabilities: Does the interactive whiteboard you’re evaluating allow teachers to record lessons or capture important moments for later review or sharing?

4. Writing/Touch Experience

• Multi-touch capabilities and responsiveness: When evaluating interactive whiteboards for education, ensure the display supports multiple simultaneous touch inputs to encourage collaboration among students. It’s also important to look for a display that offers a natural handwriting and touch experience that is accurate and lag-free.

• Gestures recognition: Verify if the board can recognize common gestures like pinch-to-zoom, swipe, and rotate for intuitive navigation.

• Pen and finger differentiation: Look for an interactive whiteboard that can differentiate between touch input and stylus/pen input as well as eraser and palm erasing for seamless interaction with the display.

5. Support, Warranty, and Training

• Support, warranty, and training: When evaluating interactive whiteboards for education, consider the warranty that is being offered by the manufacturer and what it includes. It’s also important to consider what kind of support is being offered by the manufacturer and the vendor from whom you are purchasing your displays from. Going hand-in-hand with support, what are the training options offered to ensure that teachers and staff are able to use the displays efficiently and get the most out of your technology investment.

5. Support, Warranty, and Training

• Price: While price should not be the most important consideration when evaluating interactive whiteboards for education, it is important to consider the cost of the interactive display in comparison to its features and functionalities, and compared to comparable models from other manufacturers.

• Long-term investment: Consider the board’s long-term benefits and impact on the learning experience when assessing its value for money.

An interactive whiteboard can undoubtedly elevate the learning experience in K-12 classrooms, fostering engagement, collaboration, and creativity among students and teachers. By using the checklist above, school administrators and educators can make well-informed decisions when evaluating interactive whiteboards for education options. If you’re ready to take the next step, let our team at Parmetech help! We have been working with our K-12 customers to help them determine the best interactive whiteboards for their needs. Give us a call at (800) 727-6383, send us an email at info@parmetech.com or schedule a virtual or on-site demo with us. We can walk you through in real-time everything you need to see when it comes to evaluating interactive whiteboards for education!