Why a smartboard is worthwhile in schools

Digitalization has long since worked its way into every little corner and has become indispensable in many areas. While restaurant visitors are often still annoyed by QR codes and digital menus, almost everyone always has their small smart companion in their pocket and can no longer imagine life without a smartphone. 

Schools and other educational institutions are not exempt from the digital transformation either.  

The use of interactive whiteboards is becoming increasingly common in schools in order to convey learning content visually and make it easier to access. 

- Why a smartboard is worthwhile in schools

Smartboard or interactive whiteboard?

There are now numerous different names for smartboards: In addition to „Smartboard“, the terms „interactive whiteboard“, „ActivBoard“ or „electronic whiteboard“ are also frequently used. This refers to an electronic whiteboard on which fingers or special pens can be used to write by touching. It is also quick and easy to call up digital content such as images or videos and display them on the board. 

The generic generic term for these electronic boards is actually the „interactive whiteboard“. Depending on the provider, such an interactive whiteboard can be either a „Smartboard“ (Smart Technologies) or an „ActivBoard“ (Promethean). Basically, they are both the same thing. The different providers highlight their own boards and emphasize their individual features with special names. 

Despite the fact that a „Smartboard“ is the model from Smart Technologies, this term is often used as a synonym for „interactive whiteboard“. Unlike a normal whiteboard, however, a smartboard should not be written on with whiteboard markers, as these cannot be removed.

Smartboard - capabilities

What actually makes this board so „smart“? First and foremost, the fact that it recognizes both the finger and specially designed pens as writing utensils and can convert their movements into the intended writing and patterns. It also recognizes movements that are intended to wipe away the writing or remembers which color was last used. 

Since all elements are conveniently digitally retrievable, there is no need for a thousand pens in different colors and also reduces the need for paper. Content created on the smartboard can be saved and then shared with just a few clicks. 

The addition of other media content, such as images, graphics and videos, is also made immensely easier by using a Smartboard. For this reason, a smartboard is also ideal for teaching, but is just as popular in conferences or training rooms. 

Smartboards in schools - advantages

For teaching staff, the use of smartboards means the end of paper madness. Board images can be created together and then saved. Teachers can also prepare certain graphs or basic frameworks for the upcoming lesson at home and use and supplement them immediately in class. 

Critics of smartboards claim that these preparations are time-consuming. In reality, however, the digital creation of a board image is no more time-consuming than manual creation and once created, the board image can be reused several times. This also saves teachers time in the classroom, which they would need for creating on the whiteboard.

For many, starting to work with a smartboard can be difficult and time-consuming at first. However, once a person has familiarized themselves with the possibilities and operation of the board, it can mean time savings for them in the future. In particular, tasks such as going to the overhead projector or difficulties with getting the beamer up and running become completely obsolete with a smartboard. 

Interactive whiteboards with an emphasis on "interactive"

The fact that smartboards are interactive whiteboards makes them even more suitable for use in schools. They are already ideal for teaching learning content in primary schools, as visual board images and helpful short videos capture the attention of the children and knowledge can be taught in a playful and clear way. 

Another advantage of smartboards is the fact that the board images can be easily enlarged or reduced and moved. So if a teacher has reached the edge of the board but wants to add something else, they can simply reduce or move the image. The result is structured and clear board images without the teacher having to switch to another page of the board or delete anything. Waiting times until all pupils have finished copying are also a thing of the past thanks to smartboards. 

ComPeri - the smart decision to become smart

With years of experience in the fields of conference and media technology, ComPeri is the ideal contact for you;for you if you intend to equip your facility with smart technologies. Regardless of whether your company is an educational institution, a hotel or a museum, we can help you with your exhibitions;Planning, design and installation of your technology. 

We attach particular importance to finding individual solutions for your concerns. If you are considering purchasing a smartboard or are still debating whether you would prefer a projector or a display, we would be happy to help;We look forward to hearing from you contact us. 

 

 

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