Interactive whiteboard

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An Interactive Whiteboard is device that interprets a projected two-dimensional surface that interacts with a computer's desktop. A typical use is as an electronic whiteboard but it is generally an interactive type of computer screen.

Interactive whiteboards typically require a computer to generate the display via a projector. Typical software mimics the computer's mouse and keyboard. However, some models have basic whiteboarding functionality present within the physical whiteboard.

They are used in many settings including classrooms, business presentation and workgroup. Uses include:

  1. Operating directly on a large display, any software that is loaded onto the connected PC, including internet browsers or properitary software
  2. On a large display, using software to capture notes written on a whiteboard or whiteboard like surface
  3. The ability to control (click and drag), mark-up (annotate a program), or use Optical Character Recognition on a computer-generated image displayed on or behind the touch surface


Contents

[edit] Operation

The interactive whiteboard is connected to a computer through a wired medium (USB, a serial port cable) or wirelessly (Bluetooth). Usually, the 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 or position with the interactive whiteboard into mouse clicks or digital ink. This can be done by a tactile surface or though a positional system such as infra red.

There are six different types of interactive whiteboard that control the computer via the board: electromagnetic, analog-resistive, infrared optical, laser, ultra-sonic, and camera-based (optical).

  • Analog-resistive — Two electrically conductive sheets are separated by a small air gap. When they are touched, 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. Mouseover and hover effects are usually not supported with this type of interactive whiteboard.
  • 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 wrist or hand 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. These types of board usually support the full range of mouse functions, mouseover, hover effects and right click.
  • 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.

Some interactive whiteboards have an active surface that works with software applications. These not only captures annotations, but completely emulates the mouse and keyboard. They control, pop ups, hints, hyperlinks and mouse overs. This is different than touch sensitive resistive boards that are limited to an on/off action intrepretations on their surface. 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. Some boards allow a user to control the board with their finger instead of a pen.

Interactive whiteboards have similar problems to regular whiteboards and some are definitely more delicate. Permanent markers can be a very serious problem on some interactive whiteboard surfaces. Sometimes students and teachers forget some of these surfaces can be punctured, dented and damaged in the course of instruction.

[edit] Front and Rear Projection

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. Some manufacturers also provide an option to raise and lower the display to accommodate users of different heights. An active wand is also available from some manufacturers of electromagnetic boards 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, the video quality and angle for viewing is often problematic, and cannot be mounted flush on a wall; however, "in-wall" installations are possible.

[edit] Short Throw Projection Systems and Interactive Whiteboards

Some manufacturers offer Short Throw Projection systems in which the projector is much closer to the interactive whiteboard board surface and projects down at an angle of around 45 degrees. These vastly reduce the shadow effects of traditional front projection systems. The risk of projector theft, which is problematic for some school districts, it reduced by integrating the projector with the interactive whiteboard. Reduced installation costs make these very cost effective.

[edit] Calibration

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] Classroom uses

Interactive whiteboards are used in many schools as replacements for traditional whiteboards or flipcharts. They provide ways to show students any thing which can be presented on a computer's desktop (educational software, web sites, and others). Projectors, which are used with the interactive whiteboards, can also be connected to a video recorder, a DVD player or utilise a school network digital video distribution system.

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 examinations. 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.

Many manufacturers are providing classroom response systems with their interactive whiteboard products. By bundling (free or for sale) classroom response systems with the interactive whiteboard, teachers are able to present material and receive feedback from the students. For example, the interactive whiteboard allows students to solve puzzles and math problems and demonstrate their knowledge. It also allows the teacher to keep notes, as an electronic file, on the lesson for later distribution either as a paper or any number of electronic formats.

[edit] Research into the Market

Decision Tree Consulting (DTC) have been researching the market for 6 years, here are some findings about the worldwide market for interactive whiteboards: [March 2007]

    • There is now a cumulative total of over one million Interactive Whiteboards worldwide
    • The Interactive Whiteboard Market is forecast to increase four-fold in the next 5 years
    • The UK is the third largest market in the world and will continue to be for the next 5 years
    • 1 in 9 classrooms worldwide to have a board by 2010
    • There have been new levels of interest all over EMEA, manufacturers and resellers report a bow wave of interest
    • The Americas doubled volumes between 2005 and 2006
    • Asia is still a comparatively small market but the market doubled in 2006 and large growth is forecast from 2008


[edit] Literature reviews

There are a number of 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] 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. 'Short Throw' projectors are available from some manufacturers that mount directly above the board minimising shadow effects.
  • 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
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