Alternatives to Interactive Whiteboards

SmartBoards, Promethean Boards and many other kinds of Interactive Whiteboards are a good tool, but not every room has them and, personally, I don’t think they are worth the money. Today I’m going to share some cost effective alternatives to the IWB, but keep in mind that all of these alternatives will require a digital video projector.

One of the biggest challenges of integrating technology into learning is teaching students how to use said technology. An IWB shines here because it allows you to demo the computer program or Internet navigation using your fingers and a giant touchscreen. Of course you could do this from your computer, but then you can’t really see your students and the learning becomes very impersonal. The solution is a wireless mouse and keyboard; I’ve had good luck with Logitech wireless products, but any brand will do.http://www.logitech.com/en-us/keyboards/keyboard-mice-combos  With a keyboard, mouse, podium and perhaps a larger mouse icon it becomes very easy to stay in front of the class and still show them how to use their computers. The other advantage of wireless keyboards is that you’re not stuck in the front of the room and can move around the room. If you think you’ll be doing that, then a keyboard (or mini-keyboard) with a built in trackpad might be a good idea. All of these keyboards are simple to “install” and most just require you to pop a USB cord in and connect via Bluetooth. If you don’t know how to connect a Bluetooth device, click here. It is a skill worth learning.

Of course, an Interactive Whiteboard is far more just a giant touchscreen, it also allows you to write on your computer screen and save it. In fact, some teachers even record what is taking place on their IWB for reteaching or getting absent students caught up. To do this you’re going to need an iPad, but compare the cost of a $2000 IWB with the $500 for an iPad.

The app that allows you to write and record a lesson is called ShowMe. Not only is this app free, but there are already thousands of other tutorials accessible through this app and if there isn’t, then you can share yours and extend your skills and expertise beyond the walls of your school. This app is extremely easy to use, but if you “goof up” halfway through your lesson there’s no way to rewind the recording, but then again, you can’t do that on most IWBs. The drawback of ShowMe is that if you want to show the entire class or if you want to record in front of a “live audience” you will need a VGA adapter or a document camera to project your iPad screen. The VGA adapter may seem expensive, but keep in mind that you will find lots of other uses for it.

The second app is not quite as easy to use as the IWB interfaces, but it allows you to control your computer from the iPad, which means you’ve got the touch screen, the ability to draw on the computer screen, the spotlight and blind feature, as well as the ability to hit print AGAIN from your copier room. This app is called Splashtop Desktop Whiteboard ($20) and it is pretty expensive as far as apps go, but compared to a traditional IWBs pricetag it is reasonable and, like the wireless keyboard, you’re not tied to the front of the room. Students can still go up to the front of the room to use the touchscreen, but if you’d prefer that they stay seated, just place the iPad in front of them. The major drawback that I have found with this app is that you need to be on the same internet network as your computer and some schools have a mobile network and a regular network. The bigger problem is that you can't click or scroll your computer screen when you are drawing or writing on it.

If you find that drawing on the computer screen doesn’t work that well, don’t forget that you can point your projector at a traditional whiteboard and write on the projection using a normal marker. If you really want to keep whatever they wrote, just photograph it with your iPad.

I realize that there are lots of little add-ons and programs that are exclusive to one IWB brand or another, but with a little bit of digging and the tools above I'm confident that you can find just about any thing that you could get from SmartBoard or Promethean.

Finally, The evidence that IWBs improve learning is shaky and we need to remember that all technology is nothing more than a tool, like textbooks, markers or overhead projectors. Still if you are considering buying an IWB consider the advantages and lower cost of these alternatives.

Have you found a clever way to “recreate” some element of the IWB? Please share!


Image: AV Hire London. Smartboard 680I Interactive Whiteboard Package. Accessed on February 18, 2012. http://www.flickr.com/photos/av_hire_london/5570898684/sizes/t/in/photostream/