The right interactive whiteboard can greatly enhance an educational environment if chosen wisely. The key here is to know what you want and what you need from the right interactive whiteboard for the situation.
This guide aims to lay out everything you need to consider before making an investment in an interactive whiteboard for your school or district.
While cost may be a big concern at first, it's worth weighing it against the features you need, as you can get a lot for your money now. It's also important to consider how long a device will last. You could save money now, but need to buy a new one in a few years, or spend more now and have it last longer. Which brings us back to it all depending on what you need.
From Wi-Fi connectivity and built-in cameras and microphones to high-resolution audio and video playback with plenty of touch sensitivity, there are many device features to consider, as well as the software you'll want to run on the interactive whiteboard.
After you familiarize yourself with what to look for, consider our The best interactive whiteboards Guide to finding the model that best suits you.
What type of interactive whiteboard is best?
Before you begin, the first thing you need to consider is what type of interactive whiteboard you want. There are several variants available, including infrared/optical, resistive touch, electromagnetic, and hybrid ultrasonic/infrared. Essentially, they are all different ways of detecting touch on the screen, some more sensitive than others.
Sensitivity can be important if you want to draw on the screen accurately or if you need it to detect the fingers of many children working on a group project at the same time. If you only need the interactive whiteboard to show presentations and occasionally tap to edit or advance, then this might be one area where you would save money by going with a more basic option.
The most sold type today is the infrared/optical Version that offers multi-touch, high responsiveness and great durability. That said, this is generally one of the more expensive options.
He resistive The touch type is more affordable, but is usually single-touch and less durable thanks to a soft touch screen.
He electromagnetic Whiteboards are highly accurate in sensitivity, durable, and unaffected by light conditions, except that they require a special stylus and do not support finger touch. They are also generally more expensive.
He Ultrasonic/infrared hybrid This option is a way to add interactivity to existing whiteboards with the use of an actual dry erase marker that becomes interactive – this is a good money saving option.
Screen quality
Another important factor to consider is the quality of the screen, which includes the size, resolution, and image fidelity it offers. Of course, you'll want to choose a larger screen for larger rooms, but you should also consider increasing the resolution. If you choose a very large screen but the resolution is still low, the image will look blurry and less clear. It also means that seeing details is less easy for both the teacher who is close by and the students who are further away.
You'll also need to consider the brightness of the screen, as it may be exposed to sunlight, which can make it difficult to see. In these cases, it's worth considering features like anti-glare coatings or a high brightness nit count.
Software Compatibility
It is worth considering what you actually need to be done on the interactive whiteboard, as these requirements may mean you need access to several types of software.
So, from the start, make sure that the display has a system that can work with all the software you use in class. This can also apply to devices, if you plan to use hardware such as webcams or microphones connected to this display.
Check compatibility with existing educational apps and make sure you can run them natively on the screen or run them via a connected laptop, for example.
It's also a good idea to think about how easy the software is to learn and use, as something with a more complex design and steep learning curve may require the need to invest additionally in training as part of the new hardware as well.
Connectivity
It's important that your interactive whiteboard works with your school's infrastructure. You'll need to think about how it connects to your existing network and the Internet. Will you need Ethernet ports, or is Wi-Fi sufficient? And if so, what level of Wi-Fi will you choose so that it's rugged enough to last?
If you need to connect laptops, USB sticks, or flash drives, you'll also need to find the ports and software needed to support those options.
Prices
The cost you are willing to pay for your interactive whiteboard, or several, is of course an important factor. As mentioned, it is important to consider initial costs, ongoing costs, and eventual replacement figures.
You may have been considering new displays at school, and by opting for a higher resolution whiteboard, it may be possible to consolidate those costs into a single device that meets all of your needs.
Be sure to check the warranty and coverage, as some models offer extended periods to provide peace of mind while suggesting they are built to last.
