The Ultimate Guide to Interactive Whiteboards in the Classroom

In today’s technology-driven world, traditional classroom settings are transforming into dynamic and interactive learning environments. One such innovation that has revolutionized teaching practices and learning in the classroom is the interactive whiteboard. Also referred to as a digital whiteboard, smartboard, or interactive display, this powerful tool combines the functionality of a regular whiteboard with the versatility of digital technology, offering educators and students a whole new level of engagement and interactivity. Interactive whiteboards have come a long way since they were first introduced, which is why we’ve put together the ultimate guide to interactive whiteboards in the classroom.

Keep reading below as we explore the key features, benefits interactive whiteboards in the classroom bring to students and teachers, and practical tips for using interactive whiteboards effectively in the classroom.

Before we dive into our ultimate guide to interactive whiteboards in the classroom, let’s quickly go over what an interactive whiteboard actually is. Historically, interactive whiteboards began as a large display board that allowed users to interact with projected content using pens. However, as mentioned above, interactive whiteboard technology has come a long way since then.

The term interactive whiteboard is used interchangeably with interactive display or interactive flat panel, and in today’s world an interactive whiteboard is a large touchscreen display that allows users to interact with digital content using gestures, touch, or a stylus. It combines the functionality of a traditional whiteboard with advanced digital capabilities, enabling teachers to present multimedia content, engage students, and foster collaboration. Interactive displays offer an intuitive and interactive interface, making learning more engaging and effective.

Interactive whiteboards come equipped with a range of features and tools designed to fit any classroom environment and enhance classroom instruction. Here are some of the most common ones:

Screen Size: Most interactive whiteboards are offered in sizes ranging from 40” up to 86” or even 98”. However, for interactive whiteboards in the classroom, the most popular screen sizes tend to be either 65” or 75”, depending on the size of the classroom.

Mounting Options: There are a wide variety of mounting options to choose from, ranging from fixed wall mounts, to mobile carts that allow interactive displays to be shared among different classrooms, to motorized carts that can tilt the display up to 90° into a tabletop mode.

Annotation and Drawing Tools: Teachers can write, draw, and annotate directly on the display, making it easy to highlight important information, solve problems, or illustrate concepts.

Multimedia Integration: Interactive whiteboards allow seamless integration of multimedia elements into lessons, including videos, audio clips, and interactive websites, providing a more diverse and stimulating learning environment.

Touch-Based Interactivity: The touch-sensitive surface enables students to interact directly with the content, fostering hands-on learning experiences. They can drag, resize, and manipulate objects on the board, promoting active participation and critical thinking.

Screen Recording and Capture: Teachers can record their lessons or capture important moments during a presentation for later review, allowing students to revisit concepts or catch up on missed classes.

Collaboration and Sharing: Interactive whiteboards often support collaborative activities, allowing multiple students to interact simultaneously, work on group projects, or share their work with the class.

Interactive whiteboards for education offer many advantages to today’s modern classroom by helping to revolutionize traditional teaching methods and enhance the learning experience.

• Increased Engagement: Interactive displays capture students’ attention and create an engaging learning environment. The ability to interact directly with the content on the screen promotes active participation, making lessons more interactive and stimulating.

• Multisensory Learning: Interactive whiteboards integrate multimedia elements such as videos, images, and audio clips into lessons. By appealing to multiple senses, interactive displays cater to different learning styles, enhancing comprehension and retention of information.

• Hands-on Learning: Interactive whiteboards in the classroom allow students to manipulate objects on the screen using touch, gestures, or a stylus. This hands-on approach encourages exploration, experimentation, and problem-solving skills, fostering a deeper understanding of concepts.

• Collaboration and Communication: Interactive displays facilitate collaboration among students. Multiple users can interact with the screen simultaneously, enabling teamwork, discussion, and sharing of ideas. Collaborative activities promote communication skills, critical thinking, and peer learning.

• Customization and Personalization: Interactive whiteboards in the classroom offer flexibility and customization options. Teachers can adapt content to suit individual student needs, providing personalized learning experiences. Interactive displays also allow students to progress at their own pace, ensuring a tailored education.

• Access to Digital Resources: Interactive displays provide access to a vast array of digital resources and educational applications. Teachers can incorporate online libraries, interactive lessons, virtual simulations, and educational games into their teaching, enriching the learning experience and keeping content up-to-date.

• Immediate Feedback and Assessment: With interactive whiteboards in the classroom, teachers can provide instant feedback to students during activities or assessments. This immediate feedback helps students understand their progress, identify areas for improvement, and make corrections in real-time.

• Visual Representation of Complex Concepts: Interactive displays enable teachers to visually represent complex concepts more effectively. They can use diagrams, charts, and interactive visuals to simplify abstract ideas, enhancing students’ understanding and facilitating concept comprehension.

• Remote Learning and Collaboration: Interactive displays support remote learning and collaboration. With screen sharing and video conferencing capabilities, teachers and students can connect virtually, engage in interactive discussions, and collaborate on projects, regardless of their physical location.
• Digital Organization and Accessibility: Interactive whiteboards eliminate the need for physical materials like whiteboards, charts, and posters. Teachers can organize and access digital resources effortlessly, saving time and reducing clutter in the classroom. Interactive displays also provide accessibility features, accommodating students with different learning abilities.

Now that we’ve gone over key features of interactive whiteboards and the benefits they bring to the teaching and learning experience in the classroom, it’s important to go over a few tips to make sure that you’re getting the most out of your investment in interactive technology.

Plan Interactive Lessons: Create interactive lessons in advance, integrating multimedia elements and interactive activities to enhance student engagement.

Encourage Student Interaction: Encourage students to interact with the interactive display by allowing them to come to the front of the classroom, use the stylus, or collaborate on the screen. This fosters active participation and ownership of learning.

Utilize Educational Applications and Digital Whiteboarding Software: Explore educational applications and software specifically designed for interactive displays. These resources offer interactive quizzes, simulations, and educational games that can reinforce learning and make lessons more enjoyable. Many interactive displays also come with access to their own digital whiteboarding software which is designed to arm educators with powerful tools to maximize the interactive learning experience. For example, ViewSonic’s myViewBoard digital whiteboard software is made up of a comprehensive suite of apps designed to give teachers access to a wide variety of tools to support their teaching styles and help improve student learning.

Integrate with Other Classroom Technologies: Be sure to integrate interactive displays with other classroom technologies such as document cameras, video conferencing tools, or student response systems to create a comprehensive and versatile learning environment.

Provide Professional Development: One of the most important (and often overlooked) aspects when it comes to integrating interactive whiteboards in the classroom is providing sufficient training for educators. Be sure to offer professional development opportunities for teachers to familiarize themselves with the features and functionalities of interactive displays. Proper training and professional development sessions can empower educators to make the most of these tools, explore innovative teaching methods, and alleviate technology-related frustrations.

With over 30 years of experience servicing education customers across the country, the team at Parmetech can help you with all your interactive whiteboard needs! Parmetech has chosen to partner with ViewSonic for our interactive whiteboard offerings for education because we truly believe they offer the best value overall – ViewSonic interactive whiteboards are top-of-the-line when it comes to features and functionality while still being affordable, reliable, robust, and easy to use.

Let us transform the way you teach! If you’re interested in learning more about how our ViewSonic displays can create a transformative classroom experience for students and teachers alike, give us a call at (800) 727-6383, send an email to info@parmetech.com, connect with us online, or request to schedule a complimentary demo today!