Types of Interactive Whiteboards Available to Select From

Interactive Whiteboards (IWBs) are the new upgraded replacement of traditional chalk and marker blackboards and whiteboards. IWBs have interactive digital displays, which can digitalize the entire lesson process. From creating lesson plans to presenting them and having the students play quizzes, games, and revision, everything can be done easily with these IWBs.

There are a few types of IWBs, which come equipped with a number of features. You need to be aware of the features and decide which type is the most suitable for your students. A few examples of the features of these interactive digital displays are USB-C Connectivity, Touch Technology, Display Audio, Eye-care Technology, Digital Learning Software, and so on.

So, let’s see the three main types of IWBs there are to select from.

Resistive Technology

These whiteboards have touch-based interactions. A finger or pen can be used to interact with the surface, which is a soft layer that deforms on touch and contacts a conducting plate. This way the location of the touch is received by a computer. This is one of the least expensive IWBs available in the market.

Electromagnetic

These whiteboards do not support touch-based interaction. Inside these whiteboards is a wire mesh, which creates an electromagnetic field with the help of electricity. Therefore, a specific pen is used to navigate through the board. It is specific because it has a coil embedded in the tip. When this pen is touched on the whiteboard’s surface, the signals that the mesh creates are altered so that the location of the pen is detected. The first electromagnetic whiteboard was introduced in 1994 by the company called Numonics.

Laser Scanner

These IWBs have infrared laser scanners at each corner of the board, making them the costliest type of IWBs. These scanners detect the movement on the board’s surface. Needless to say, they also require special pens to navigate. These pens have reflective collars encoded in them, which allows them to recognize different colors. These whiteboards are made up of a hard surface, so they support erasable markers.

Rear vs. Short-Throw Projection

Interactive whiteboards also differ in terms of projection capabilities. Rear projection uses an extremely small, short-throw lens mounted behind the screen, which projects images into a special arrangement or mirror. The projections then appear on a transmission screen. Short-Throw projection boards are equipped with a special projector that leans over the board and projects on the board’s surface externally.

Short-Throw must be mounted on a wall, usually to the frame of the board, whereas rear projection works within special cabinets or TV stands.

Screenage offers multipurpose interactive digital signage displays touch whiteboards in a variety of sizes to suit your requirements. Be it lessons, presentations, or any other office needs, the touch whiteboards offered by Screenage help you create a collaborative environment with enhanced communication. They support all kinds of audio, video, and other multimedia, which makes them highly desirable to any user. For any queries, contact the team.