Chalkboards & Whiteboards
In our present age of continually evolving desktop, laptop and palm computers, photocopy equipment, PowerPoint presentations, video displays, whiteboards, interactive whiteboards and Internet access, it's startling to realize that the "technology" to first influence education was the invention of the blackboard (a.k.a. chalkboard).
Blackboards, easels, corkboards and later whiteboards may seem to us to have always been standard equipment in schoolrooms as well as boardrooms, but none of these basic tools even existed in classrooms prior to 1801.
Chalkboards still have plenty of benefits today despite the relatively recent advance of whiteboards.
No longer made from the original slate as they were in the early 1800s, chalkboards are built stronger and more resilient, and many are also built to act as effective "projection screens." These boards continue to be just as capable "teacher and business aids" as they've always been.
Chalkboards are available in a variety of sizes and styles and can be mobile, mounted to walls or hand-held.
Many educators assert that the grit texture of the chalkboard surface adds just enough resistance help children write on the boards.
Chalk (and dust-free chalk) is now available in a variety of colors, so you're able to make your presentations bold and bright.
The invention of "dust-free" chalk, plus test results proving that even standard board chalk is free of toxic substances, eliminates major concerns about using chalk.
Chalk generally lasts longer, doesn't dry out and is less expensive to restock (easier on your budget), particularly for high velocity users.
Chalk can be washed out of clothes and off skin much easier than dry-erase markers.
Chalkboards are easy to clean with just a damp sponge, so chemical cleansers aren't necessary.
Chalkboards continue to be a favorite tool in many schools, universities and homes. Many teachers believe the "resistance" offered by a blackboard aids young new writers better than the easy slip boards.
Whiteboards
Otherwise known as dry-erase boards and marker boards, the first whiteboards began appearing in American business meeting rooms and corporations in the early 1980s. Within 10 years, a small inroad had been made into educational institutions, but demand accelerated most dramatically in the late 1990s. By the end of that decade, 21% of all American schools had begun converting from chalkboards to whiteboards.
What are the benefits of using whiteboards? Initially, the appeal of these marker boards is driven by factors including:
- The clean, stylish look of their clear, white presentation surface
- The substitution of dry-erase markers for chalk, which eliminates the annoying presence of drying dust on the hands and the environment, safeguards the comfort and health of people who are allergic to the dust and protects computers from chalk dust damage
- The wide variety of color marker choices and the more vibrant visual presentation and stimulation possible as a result
- The ability of some boards to perform double-duty as effective projection screens in a room
Other important reasons for the gains these boards have made have been their:
- Versatility of selection and adaptable usage resulting from the variety of manufacturing materials and processes that are available
- Easy, flexible maneuverability and placement options
- Material durability and safety
- Low and high-gloss options
- Availability of stylish designs
- Availability of products built to accept several different types of writing implements, including chalk, pencils, permanent markers, or crayons as well as dry erase pens
- Ability to marry these boards with advancing projection and computer technologies
While the models popular in the early 1980s were plastic-coated and used solely as a writing surface, whiteboard innovation has advanced steadily.
Selecting improved materials and markers has essentially eliminated "shadows" with proper cleaning and care
Some boards are built with materials that allow them to serve as very capable, non-reflective projection boards for your LCD projections.
Magnetic boards gain you an additional advantage and flexibility for planning purposes.
Fused lines allow boards to be specialized for musical scores, penmanship practice and calculations based on grid and coordinates, as well as map boards.
Reversible boards can offer you double-sided whiteboard writing surface or combine a whiteboard on one side with a cork or chalkboard on the reverse.
Lightweight materials let you utilize specialized whiteboards as convenient desktop planners at your desk without the potential mess of chalk dust.
Interactive whiteboards have been the latest, specialized innovation, combining the power of a projector, computer and whiteboard and allowing the user to touch the board screen to access all the information possible on a computer.
Daily cleaning of whiteboards helps ensure many, many years of spotless, clean presentations. While you should always read and follow care instructions that come with these presentation boards (particularly the interactive or specialty technology-linked boards), the standard white marker boards that are so widely prevalent in educational institutions can be easily cared for by erasing the notes with the proper eraser, cleaning it with only a soft damp cloth and allowing it to be thoroughly dried prior to writing on it again.
When cleaning cannot be done on a daily basis, or if this damp washing is not able to be scheduled, spray cleaning products for various types of whiteboards are widely available.
Use an eraser designed for your board's surface material rather than a chalk eraser, paper towels or regular cloth towel to erase your work. This will help avoid damage to your writing surface. Wash your eraser regularly with water and make sure it is completely dry before using it again to erase your boards.
Did someone accidentally use a permanent marker on your dry-erase surface? No problem! Write over the permanent ink with a dry erase marker and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Then, just erase it all. A second effort may be required to remove the image more definitively. Then clean your board.
Do not use standard household, industrial and abrasive cleansing agents. These are not recommended for use on your board, because doing so may scratch, cause a "build-up" of the agent on your board, or result in other damage to its vital surface.
Source: Ergo in Demand
Product Roundup
Lightning by PolyVision
PolyVision's Lightning is based on a patent pending system called Photonic Array Technology that eliminates the need for interactive whiteboard calibration. With Lightning-equipped interactive whiteboards, users simply turn on the projector, push the projection button and start using the board. It eliminates the need to touch four, eight or even as many as 16 points of a projected image to obtain alignment. Lightning alleviates worries about the technology and allows users to go from zero to presentation in only one second. PolyVision's calibration-free interactive whiteboards with Lightning technology are available in three sizes: 3' x 4', 4' x 6' and 4' x 8'.
www.polyvision.com
Alfax
The evolution of the blackboard continues with new materials, styles and sizes. Alfax helps customers keep up with the changes by offering a wide array of visual communications products to fit any budget. That might mean traditional wall-mounted chalk or markerboards with melamine surfaces, or magnetic porcelain boards, each with a 50-year guarantee. Cork bulletin boards are also available with colorful vinyl covers that hide unsightly pin holes. Popular portable reversible boards come in all sizes and configurations on warm-toned oak or sturdy aluminum frames. Markerboards are available in special sizes up to 5-feet high, suitable to the reach of very young or wheelchair-bound students.
www.AlfaxFurniture.com/products
Indoff
Indoff is a multi-line distributor of visual communication products. The company handles dry-erase boards, cork boards, bulletin board cabinets, projection screens, chalkboards and their conversion to whiteboards, electronic copy boards, lecterns, acoustic panels, room dividers, dry erase wallpaper and Tackable wall systems. Indoff has products in most price ranges and can supply quality components customers can transform into finished units, or the company can provide the finished product with a minimum of installation required. Indoff has several options for resurfacing old chalkboards with clean, dry-erase boards. While located in Connecticut, the company ships all products from multiple locations around the country, to minimizing freight charges.
www.ahutton.com
EverWhite
Choosing the right dry erase boards can be a major concern for schools. Some customers who have been disappointed with the quality of their dry erase boards have turned to EverWhite. Manufactured with a polyester hard coat surface, EverWhite dry erase boards are guaranteed for a lifetime not to stain or develop "ghost" images. If a permanent marker is used by mistake on EverWhite's unique, bright, white surface, it's not a problem. By going over the area with a dry erase marker, the image can be erased as usual with no evidence left behind.
www.everproducts.com.
Claridge
Established in 1947, Claridge manufactures a complete line of markerboards, chalkboards and tackboards. The company also makes display and trophy cases, directory boards, glass enclosed directory and bulletin board cabinets, easels, speakers' stands, wood lecture units with matching credenzas and many other similar products. With seven regional sales offices and five distribution centers, Claridge works to offer high-quality products at competitive prices, while offering strong customer service.
www.claridgeproducts.com.
Dry Erase Wallcovering
Walltalkers is a wallcovering system that can turn walls into presentation surfaces. Walltalkers ez·rite can be easily applied directly over existing chalk/marker boards, providing a clean, bright dry erase surface. Primarily designed as a low-gloss, dry erase marker surface, Walltalkers erase·rite can serve as a projection screen. Nu·vu·rite is available for higher quality projection capability. Walltalkers uses vinyl substrate, not paper, so it maintains its flexibility and strength. The product is laminated with DuPont's Teflon thermoplastic film. The wallcovering comes in rolls and installs like most commercial wallcovering. Options include magnetic receptive, projection (low-gloss), adhesive-backed, printed lines, decorative colors, designer patterns and more.
www.walltalkers.com
Interactive Whiteboards from Numonics
The Numonics Corporation manufactures two lines of interactive whiteboards, the IPM and the DPA. Both boards use fast and accurate electromagnetic digital technology, and, when incorporated with a computer and an LCD or DLP projector, they become powerful tools for teaching, collaborating and presenting. The Digital Presentation Appliance (DPA) is their "entry-level" interactive whiteboard. A Windows-based whiteboard, the DPA has the fundamental feature set you need and is very easy to learn and use. It will make a great impression and a fast transition into your classroom, conference room or anywhere you need to present and exchange information. The Interactive Presentation Manager (IPM) is their advanced interactive whiteboard. Compatible with either Mac or Windows operating systems, it just oozes with personality and features. There are 17 user-definable Softkeys located on both sides of the IPM that you can define to launch Web sites, applications, files, keyboard commands and any of 14 different Presentation Tools.
www.interactivewhiteboards.com
Aarco Products
Aarco Products, Inc., an established manufacturer of visual display products, has been in business since 1975. Aarco manufactures a complete line of architectural quality chalkboards, marker boards, tack boards and display cabinets, as well as crowd control products. Realizing that institutions with limited funds 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
ADP LEMCO
ADP LEMCO INC. has manufactured and supplied visual display products for more than 45 years. They provide quality markerboards, chalkboards, tackboards, trophy cases, bulletin cases, executive presentation cabinets, vertical and horizontal sliding chalkboard, markerboard and tackboards and other specialty boards to schools, churches and offices throughout the nation. They are confident that you will find their products to be among the finest available. They pride themselvesselves on our quality and service.
www.adplemco.com
