Chalkboards, Whiteboards, or Interactive Tools?
By Heather Reid

Getting students to pay attention in class has been a challenge for educators at all grade levels throughout the years. Keeping a student interested while the teacher is at the front of the classroom usually consisted of calling the student to the front to solve a math problem or answer an English question at the chalkboard, but what about the rest of the class? How could the teacher keep the entire class engaged with just one student working at the chalkboard?

Chalkboards seemed to be a staple in the classroom until the mid 1980s, when most schools replaced the chalkboard and chalk with whiteboards and dry-erase markers. With a new sleek, white design and colorful markers, students' interest in learning seemed to peak just a bit.

Today, technology is transforming classrooms, enabling students to sit at their desks and stay connected with the teacher, as well as the entire class, with interactive whiteboards. These boards allow students to use colorful ink and special interactive tools to work on lessons, explore Web sites, and even save and modify what's on the board by using special pens. This exciting technology makes class time engaging and interesting for everyone.

While old-fashioned chalkboards remain fixtures in most U.S. classrooms, school designers have all but eliminated them when planning new schools or remodeling old ones. Taking a page from the business world, they're outfitting most classrooms with interactive whiteboards, in some cases installing high-tech devices that turn them into virtual computer screens.

With all of these different advancements in school boards, which is the better teaching tool? Do educators and students prefer the interactive whiteboards? Are they easier to use? Or do they enjoy the classic chalkboard over the highly developed whiteboard?

Chalkboards
Chalkboards have been a standard teaching tool in schools for years. Educators have maintained that the chalkboard is still an ample teaching device for students, commenting on how it seems to help with the student's handwriting. Chalk seems to be easier to hold for younger students. Educators have found that students are not developmentally ready to grip with their thumb, index and middle fingers. Instead, holding writing tools with more of a fist can be easier for young learners, thus making chalk an easy writing tool.

While students are using chalk, it doesn't slip once it's on the chalkboard as a dry-erase marker would on a whiteboard's smooth surface. The chalkboard is also ideal for students learning cursive handwriting. The chalk and board keep students hands steady as they write out the words; plus, letters don't look as sloppy.

Chalkboards are useful for recording single words or short phrases, or drawing simple diagrams. Colored chalk can be used to highlight or contrast, and students can have fun using different colors for their answers. Most chalkboards also allow the use of felt-tip markers.

Installed in classrooms in the 1800s and originally made of slate, most chalkboards today are made from porcelain enamel and can be manufactured in a variety of sizes, styles and colors. They can be mobile, mounted to walls or hand-held. The porcelain is strong and very sturdy, and can last up to five to 10 years on average.

Maintenance is a simple process. The chalkboards and their trays can simply be wiped down with a damp cloth, which makes them look good as new. Chalk can easily be replaced and doesn't dry out. The cost of chalk is also far less than the cost of replacing markers.

The chalkboard does have its share of disadvantages, as well. For one, the chalk, which is simply compressed dust, can bother some educators and students with allergies, not to mention land on top of other school equipment that is dust sensitive, such as computers and microscopes.

The chalkboard still has plenty of benefits today, despite the relatively recent advances of whiteboards, and many teachers are fighting to keep them in their classrooms because they think the boards are such a great benefit for their students and the entire learning process.

Whiteboards
For almost 20 years, many schools have chosen to replace the familiar chalkboard with high-tech and advanced whiteboards. These particular whiteboards, whose surfaces are smooth polypropylene, use dry-erase markers and, sometimes, colored pencils. Teachers and students like the option of using whiteboards because they don't require chalk and there's no dust.

Whiteboards offer a clean, modern, businesslike look, making them more appealing than darker chalkboards, not to mention that the white surface is very attention getting. Most of these whiteboards also offer pre-printed lines and lettering to help in certain classes, such as music and geometry.

One drawback of using whiteboards in classrooms is that they can, and will, age. Another common complaint is that they're so slick that students end up writing faster than their brains can think, making handwriting not as clear.

Whiteboards can also perform double-duty as effective projection screens in a room. With its colorful dry-erase markers, the whiteboard can engage an entire class to become actively involved in a lesson.

Whiteboards far outnumber chalkboards in classrooms today, but they face competition from the next step in the evolutionary chain, the interactive whiteboard.

Interactive Whiteboards
An interactive whiteboard is a versatile classroom tool, boasting so much interactivity that it commands attention from each and every student. This enables a wide range of concepts and resources to be efficiently and effectively introduced. In fact, it is ideal for presenting any lesson in which students will benefit from classroom discussions.

Interactive whiteboards paired with manufacturer-specific software give educators access to a number of tools to enhance their lessons. These software programs often contain annotation tools, image galleries and background templates, like maps and grids. Another added software feature is that it gives teachers and students the ability to add their own notes to the lessons for the entire classroom to view. The lessons, with the notes, can be saved and printed out for students to take home and review, e-mailed to students and posted on the teacher's Web site.

With this feature, teachers can transform their classroom into more productive and interactive environments by allowing students to listen and more actively participate instead of focusing on taking their own notes. Additionally, if a child is sick and has to stay home from school, the teacher can print copies of the day's lessons, complete with notes, for the child to learn what material was reviewed for the day.

One advantage to the interactive whiteboard is the ability it gives educators to create lessons that support different learning styles. Teachers can take anything a computer can operate-like video clips, audio files and Web sites-and incorporate it into their lessons by playing or displaying the items for the entire class to view.

While interactive whiteboards make a great contribution to the learning experience, they also have their share of disadvantages. Depending on where educators buy the equipment, they can be fairly costly. Also, since some of the technology is so new, most teachers may be a little leery of teaching a class with this sort of technology and are more apt to stick with the traditional chalkboards and whiteboards.

Teachers who are used to the standard chalkboard may find the high-tech whiteboard intimidating. In addition, the boards and other equipment can, if not handled properly, break and get misplaced easily. Replacement of these items can become quite costly, as well.

To conclude, all boards-whether they are chalk, white or interactive-have their share of advantages and disadvantages. As long as educators continue to develop creative and dynamic lessons to encourage active learning and participation in the classroom, any board could be found as a powerful and valuable teaching tool.

Heather Reid is the marketing manager for Interwrite Learning, a provider of interactive learning solutions that include interactive whiteboards.

Product Roundup

EverWhite
EverWhite boards allow teachers can use a variety of brightly colored dry-erase markers to make everything on the board easier to read. This is especially important for students seated in the back row. Plus, unlike some other dry erase boards, EverWhite boards are guaranteed not to dull, gray or develop ghost images. If a permanent marker is used by mistake on EverWhite's unique surface, users can simply go over the spot with a dry-erase marker and erase as usual. No evidence will be left. EverWhite dry erase boards do not require harsh or expensive cleaners and are easy to maintain.
www.everproducts.com

ABC Boards by Bestrite
ABC Boards by Bestrite offer quality and economy in a porcelain steel markerboard.  The boards are "ghost" free and magnetic with a low-gloss finish, allowing for better use with a projector. The boards are equipped with an anodized aluminum trim, tray and plastic end caps, as well as a set of Rite-On markers. ABC Boards are covered by a 50-year guarantee on quality and will ship within 48 hours of ordering.
www.bestrite.com

Walltalkers
Resurfacing with versatile walltalkers ez · rite dry erase wallcoverings instantly transforms faded and outdated chalkboards into clean, bright, highly readable surfaces. Ez · rite is applied right over existing chalkboards, so it's fast, easy and costs considerably less than some other options. Quality materials and processes result in a long-lasting, great-looking product for the user. Walltalkers uses only vinyl substrate, never paper, so dry erase presentation wallcoverings consistently maintain their unique flexibility and strength. They won't crack, chip or deteriorate, even under daily use.
www.walltalkers.com

InterWrite SchoolBoard from GTCO CalComp
The InterWrite SchoolBoard is a durable and easy-to-use electronic whiteboard that inspires students by turning classroom lessons into interactive experiences. The SchoolBoard is durable, easy to clean and fully interactive with a connected computer. Teachers can be at the front of the class, teaching lessons with a computer and have the ability to make notes and highlight over any computer application while interacting with the class using the SchoolBoard and InterWrite Software. The InterWrite SchoolBoard utilizes GTCO CalComp's patented electromagnetic digitizing technology.
www.gtcocalcomp.com

Numonics' Digital Presentation Appliance
Numonics' Digital Presentation Appliance (DPA) is an entry-level interactive whiteboard designed for the average user who wants to benefit quickly from interactive presentation technology without a steep learning curve. The DPA uses fast and accurate electromagnetic digital technology that becomes a powerful tool for teaching, collaborating and presenting when connected to a computer and a data projector. As a Windows-based interactive whiteboard, the DPA has the features teachers need to create informative and entertaining lessons.
www.interactivewhiteboards.com

Aarco Products
Aarco manufactures a complete line of architectural-quality chalkboards, marker boards, tack boards and display cabinets. Realizing that schools cannot afford to replace inexpensive products on a regular basis, Aarco specializes in high-quality units designed to last the life of the building. Whether schools need marker boards, with heavy-duty trim and marker trays, or outdoor display units to withstand the elements, Aarco Products makes something to fit the needs of individual schools.
www.aarcoproducts.com