Teachers can present information to the class on a whiteboard. The whiteboard can be a basic board to write information on with a special marker, or it can be connected to the computer with with a variety of options. Depending on your budget, it can replace the chalkboard or be an interactive technology used for exciting presentations.

Whiteboards in the Classroom

Use dry erase markers to write notes or to make drawings for the class on the basic model. They are easily cleaned by using a special eraser or paper towels. In addition, special cleaners are available for hard-to-remove marks. The boards are less messy than a chalk board and are great for math lessons, games, question and answer sessions, grammar lessons, etc.

Highlight points on a PowerPoint presentation or computer generated notes, view the Internet as a class, show a demonstration, allow students to write on the board, add text to projected images or play educational games as a group on the electronic whiteboards. In addition, they can copy what was written on the board onto copy paper, change or control computer images by touching or writing on the surface and record short lessons, including teacher audio.

Make sure that you have all of the software installed on your computer when using interactive ones. The projector, computer and whiteboard need to be connected to each other. The whiteboard will display the images on the computer screen from the projector. The installed software will allow the whiteboard to communicate with the computer when the whiteboard registers movement on the board. The key is to read your instructions, know the board's capabilities and use the correct pens.

Use special battery operated pens for electro-magnetic ones, which are interactive. The surface is hard, like a basic whiteboard. Draw with a stylus or finger on whiteboards with resistive membranes (soft like vinyl).Write with felt tip pens for ones that use laser scanners. Infrared laser scanners "see" movement on the board.