Interactive whiteboard

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An Interactive Whiteboard is an electronic whiteboard writing surface which can capture writing electronically in group presentation situations such as teaching. Interactive whiteboards typically require a computer; however, some newer models have basic whiteboarding functionality present within the interactive whiteboard. The interactive whiteboard is designed to allow interaction with a computer display. Interactive whiteboards are most commonly used in the classroom. However, their use is increasingly seen in the workplace whether in an office or on a factory floor.

Interactive whiteboards are used in one of three ways:

1. To capture notes written on the whiteboard surface
2. To control (click and drag) and/or mark-up (annotate) a computer-generated image displayed on or behind the touch surface
3. To operate any software that is loaded onto the connected PC, including access to the internet via a web browser.

The most powerful interactive whiteboards have an active surface that not only captures annotations, but completely emulates the operation of software on a PC e.g. showing, pop ups, hints, hyperlinks and mouse overs so that they overcome the limitations of touch sensitive resistive boards that use an on/off action. When coupled with an active board surface, whiteboard pens also offer a mouse right-click function that is so often used in digital content and programs. This means they can write like a pen and control like a mouse.

Interactive whiteboards are replacing blackboards and conventional dry-erase whiteboards. The computer can be controlled via the board; when a pointer is detected by the sensors of the board, the cursor points to that location. There are six different types of interactive whiteboard that control the computer via the board: electromagnetic, capacitive, analog-resistive, infrared optical, ultra-sonic, and camera-based.

Contents 1 Calibration 2 Operation 3 Classroom uses 3.1 Literature reviews 4 Research 5 Office Uses 6 Accessories 7 See also 8 External links

[edit] Calibration

A digital projector or a flat panel display can be connected to the computer. In most cases, the touch surface must be calibrated with the display image. This process involves displaying a sequence of dots on the touch surface and having the user select these dots either with a stylus or using their finger. This process is called alignment, calibration, or orientation.

A few interactive whiteboards can automatically detect projected images during a different type of calibration. The technology was developed by Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc and is disclosed in patent 7,001,023. The computer projects a Gray Code sequence of white and black bars on the touch surface and light sensitive sensors behind the touch surface detect the light passing through the touch surface. This sequence allows the computer to align the touch surface with the display; however, it has the disadvantage of having "dead spots" in the analog-resistive touch surface where the light sensors are present. The "dead spots" do not allow touches in that area to be presented to the computer.

[edit] Operation

The interactive whiteboard is connected to a computer through a wired medium (USB, a serial port cable) or wirelessly (Bluetooth). Usually, device driver software is loaded onto the attached computer. The whiteboard driver automatically starts when the computer is turned on, and the interactive whiteboard becomes active once the driver is running.

The driver converts contact with the interactive whiteboard into mouse clicks or digital ink.

There are a variety of technologies used in interactive whiteboards:

• Analog-resistive — Two electrically conductive sheets are separated by a small layer of acetone. When they touch, the surface sheet is deformed, and electrical contact is made. The resistance changes in the sheets establish the (X,Y) location of the touch. This technology has a soft writing surface and allows one to use a finger, a dry-erase marker, or a stylus on the whiteboard. In other words, when you push against the board using a special pen or your finger, two resistive sheets contact thereby creating an electrical signal and passing that to the computer.

• Electromagnetic — An array of wires behind the board interacts with a coil in the stylus tip to determine the (X,Y) coordinate of the stylus. Styli are either active (require a battery or wire back to the whiteboard) or passive (alter electrical signals produced by the board, but contain no power source). This technology usually has a hard writing surface with no moving parts. Advantages of electromagnetic mode include increased robustness, the fact that the electronic stylus can be naturally rested on the whiteboard when writing, and a very high level of accuracy. In other words, there are magnetic sensors in the board that react and send a message back to the computer when they are activated by a magnetic pen.

• Laser — An infrared laser is located in each upper corner of the whiteboard. The laser beam sweeps across the whiteboard surface—much like a lighthouse sweeps light across the ocean—by using a rotating mirror. Reflectors on the stylus or marker reflect the laser beam back to the source and the (X,Y) position can be triangulated. This technology has a hard (usually ceramic on steel) surface, which has the longest life and erases most cleanly. Markers and styli are passive, but must have reflective tape to work. Touch cannot be used.

• Ultrasonic and Infrared — When pressed to the whiteboard surface, the marker or stylus sends out both an ultrasonic sound and an infrared light. Two ultrasonic microphones receive the sound and measure the difference in the sound's arrival time, and triangulate the location of the marker or stylus. This technology allows whiteboards to be made of any material, but requires an active dry-erase marker or stylus. Touch cannot be used.

• Optical and Infrared — When pressed to the whiteboard surface, the finger or marker sees the infrared light. Software then manipulates the information to triangulate the location of the marker or stylus. This technology allows whiteboards to be made of any material; with this system no dry-erase marker or stylus is needed.

Interactive whiteboards are available in two forms: Front Projection and Rear Projection.

• Front Projection Whiteboards have a video projector in front of the whiteboard. The only disadvantage to these boards is that if the presenter must stand in front of the screen and their body will cast a shadow. Presenters quickly learn to compensate for the shadow by slightly extending their arm with or without a stylus. Additionally, recent innovations in Short Throw Projection systems from the major manufacturers vastly reduce the shadow effect. Many manufactures now provide an option to raise and lower the display to accommodate users of different heights. An active wand is also available to provide a pointing and writing device combined into one.

• Rear Projection Whiteboard projectors are located behind the whiteboard so that no shadows occur. Rear projection whiteboards are also advantageous because the presenter does not have to look into the projector light while speaking to the audience. The disadvantage to these systems are that they are generally more expensive than front projection whiteboards, are often large, and cannot be mounted flush on a wall; however, "in-wall" installations are possible.

Flat Panel Overlays for Interactive Displays/Whiteboards

Overlays can be used to convert plasma and liquid crystal display (LCD) flat panels into interactive displays/whiteboards. All interactive whiteboard functionalities can be reproduced with flat panel overlays including on-screen drawing, screen capture, image display, software application interaction and video playback. Like rear projection interactive whiteboards, there is no problem with shadows cast by the presenter. The slim profile of widescreen displays offers convenient installation options such as wall mounting.

[edit] Classroom uses

Interactive whiteboards are used in many schools as replacements for traditional whiteboards and to provide ways to show students material on the computer (educational software, web sites, and others). Projectors, which are used on interactive whiteboards, can also be connected to a video recorder or DVD player thus eliminating the need for a television in the classroom. The interactive whiteboard also allows students to solve puzzles and math problems and demonstrate their knowledge, and allows the teacher to keep notes on the lesson.

In addition, interactive whiteboards allow teachers to record their instruction and post the material for review by students at a later time. This can be a very effective instructional strategy for students who benefit from repetition, who need to see the material presented again, for students who are absent from school, for struggling learners, and for review for mid-terms and finals. Brief instructional blocks can be recorded for review by students—they will see the exact presentation that occurred in the classroom with the teacher's audio input. This can help transform learning and instruction.

[edit] Literature reviews

There are a number of recent literature reviews and papers on the use of interactive whiteboards in the classroom:

• Beauchamp, G and Parkinson, J (2005) Beyond the wow factor: developing interactivity with the interactive whiteboard. School Science Review (86) 316: 97–103.
• Glover, D and Miller, D, Averis, D and Door, V. (2005) The interactive whiteboard: a literature survey. Technology, Pedagogy and Education (14) 2: 155–170.
• Smith, H.J. , Higgins, S., Wall, K., and Miller, J. (2005) Interactive whiteboards: boon or bandwagon? A critical review of the literature, Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 21(2),pp.91–101.

[edit] Research

Research has been carried out to track the worldwide Interactive Whiteboard market by Decision Tree Consulting (DTC) a worldwide research company

• Interactive Whiteboards continue to be the biggest technology revolution in classrooms
• Across the world there are 750,000 boards installed
• Over 3 million boards are forecast to be installed by 2010
• UK is the biggest market with annual sales of 100k and 300k boards installed
• Mexico’s Enciclomedia project to equip 145,000 classrooms is worth US$1.8 billion and is the largest education technology project in the world

[edit] Office Uses

Interactive whiteboards are used in office environments to capture meeting notes and to work on collaborative projects. They are particularly useful with interactive applications, such as presentation software (e.g. Microsoft PowerPoint), Computer-aided design (CAD) packages, and others.

[edit] Accessories

A variety of accessories are available for interactive whiteboards:

• Projector — Allows a computer display to be projected onto the whiteboard.
• Track — Allows the whiteboard to be placed over a traditional whiteboard or tackboard to provide additional wall space at the front of the room. Some tracks provide power and data to the whiteboard as well.
• Mobile stand — Allows the interactive whiteboard to be moved between rooms. Many are height adjustable as well.
• Printer — Allows copies of the whiteboard notes to be made.
• Slate or tablet — Allows students control of the whiteboard away from the front of the room.
• Student Response System — Allows students to answer test questions posted on the whiteboard or take part in polls and surveys.
• Wireless unit — Allows the interactive whiteboard to operate without wires to the computer, e.g. Bluetooth.
• Remote control — Allows the presenter to control the board from different parts of the room and eliminates on-screen toolbars.

[edit] See also

• Interactive display — Plasma, LCD, or rear-projection display made interactive
• Whiteboard web appliance — Does not require a computer to capture dry-erase writing
• Touch screen
• Whiteboard

[edit] External links

• Overview of Flat Panel Overlays for Interactive Displays/Whiteboards