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Interactive whiteboards have become popular for classroom lectures and group meetings. Interactive whiteboards combine digital technology with traditional whiteboards, enabling the user to project computer images onto a board. 

As the interactive whiteboard is a relatively new device to regular classrooms many educational institutions are skeptical about integrating this device into their system. A potential buyer must check out the pros and cons of interactive whiteboards before actually investing in them as it will help him to weigh out the different advantages and disadvantages of the product.

Pros of Interactive Whiteboards:

Touchscreen: One of the main advantages of interactive whiteboard is the fact that it has a touchscreen and allows users to alter the data in the screen with their fingers. The addition of this feature has made its use much simpler and effective. The touchscreen feature also makes the classes for little kids much more entertaining as they are involved to far greater extent.

Smart Tools: The interactive whiteboard offers various tools to the instructors which makes their job much easier through software. Some of these smart tools are the magnifier, pointer, recording, document camera, spotlight, screen capture etc.

Online Help: The interactive whiteboard allows the users to access the web through the device.The use of interactive whiteboard also enables teachers to play videos from the internet when they need to.

Cons of Interactive Whiteboards:

Price: they can be expensive when trying to integrate them within the entire school, let alone an entire school district.

Writing issue: The biggest disappointment with the digital ink comes from the fact that an interactive whiteboard is a front-mounted projection screen. This means that your data projector is set up in front of the screen (like an overhead projector). Which means that when you stand in between the projector and the screen, you cast a shadow on the screen... right where you are trying to write. Sure, it was cool to interact with programs by touching the screen, but, it was hard to write notes because you were constantly blocking the image.

Teacher Training: When a school or any educational institution invests in a modern device such as the interactive whiteboard it needs to make sure it is used to its full potential. The school needs to invest time and money in training their teachers for using the device properly. The teacher needs to learn to how to use the device, also teachers needs to integrate it into his teaching style. The school needs to consider about this factor before investing an interactive whiteboard for the classrooms.

Conclusion:

The interactive whiteboard is an extremely powerful tool in the field of education. It enhances the experience of the student as well as the teacher by integrating various tools and enabling the instructor with them. Though one cannot deny that the device has its flaws but it definitely pales out in the light of its advantages and disadvantages of using interactive whiteboard.

Futuresource reports that the interactive whiteboard market has grown at a tremendous pace over the last decade. When interactive whiteboards first hit the market they were only popular in a few countries. Namely the United States, UK, and Mexico. Today, Interactive Whiteboards are common globally.

It's a challenge to find interactive whiteboard prices on the web. I tried to Google the price of an interactive whiteboard before we made this purchase and I couldn't find a site with simple, realistic, up-to-date prices. Many websites of interactive whiteboards’ brand forwards you to a sales representative contact form. Blogs and websites seldom mention prices. My social media friends on Twitter and Facebook couldn't give me an answer either. Even school administrators I talked to didn't know exactly what they cost.

Please keep in mind, we're a business and we were charged the corporate price. I have a feeling school prices are much lower because they often buy interactive whiteboards in larger quantities. (The salesman I dealt with seemed less than enthusiastic to answer my e-mails and sell me a board. I think he had bigger and more important clients to deal with in schools.) Of course, prices will also vary depending on the model and options you choose.

Things to know:

1. We were quoted for two different sizes. There are standard and wide-screen versions available. We went for the standard, since that's what most schools in the area seem to have.

There are single-touch and multi-touch. We went for the multi-touch, even though it was about $600 more. I imagine the single-touch ones are probably being phased out;

2. We learned that new interactive whiteboards are sold only through authorized dealers. There is only one dealer in our area, so there wasn't really any way to shop around.

3. There are many brands of interactive whiteboards. I'm sure many are much more expensive than ours and some are probably cheaper than ours.

There are ways to save money, if your budget is tight.

1. If you have already the projectors in your classrooms. I've seen several schools use less-expensive projectors. These are usually mounted on the ceiling. Since we rent our office space, we didn't want to cut holes in the ceiling and lose our security deposit. The attached projector also made wiring easier.

2. The speakers are optional. While you can use computer speakers, you can choose cheaper speakers which could meet your requirements for classrooms use.

3. Could we have installed it ourselves? Probably. However, I was afraid to try because I didn't want to ruin my $5,000 board and void the warranty because I hung it on the wall incorrectly. However, I watched the installers do it and it didn't seem that complicated. So if your staff could install by yourself, then you can save the installation fee. Or, you could find some interactive whiteboard brand which does not need the installation fee at all. For example, IQBoard allows you to install by yourself easily.

In recent years, IQ Panels and IQBoard interactive whiteboard are becoming more prevalent in the market as the new-gen brand.

The old devices are SMART Boards, manufactured by a company whose name became synonymous with the product thanks to early dominance in the industry. They feature a projector and an interactive whiteboard, enabling teachers to draw, write and manipulate images on the screen.

The new devices are IQ LCD Touch Flat Panels, LCD monitors with various sizes that use dual system - Android system and optional OPS windows system and can connect to handheld devices wirelessly. In addition to some new cutting-edge features and a sharper display, the IQ LCD Touch Flat Panels will not require information technology workers to replace expensive projector bulbs, which have a tendency to burn out every few years.

Perhaps the most noticeable improvement for teachers is the move away from projector-based technology. Even with ceiling-mounted projectors, SMART Boards required frequent re-calibration to ensure that pointing and drawing devices worked accurately — a common complaint among frequent users.

Using IQ LCD Touch Flat Panels is cutting-edge technology-wise, it made the transition to where it’s improving student achievement, and it has greatly improved conveniences for teachers’ teaching. There are several advantages for schools to replace SMART Board with IQ LCD touch flat panels:

· Cost-effective solution

· Activated by any stylus

· Very accurate

· Low power requirements

· Liquids won’t affect touch screen performance

· Clearer than resistive or capacitive since there is nothing between the viewer and the display

· The rugged surface and bezel design is ideal for sealing against liquids and dust

· Able to handle dual touch input

· Can scale to large sizes

· Can support multi-touch

Anyway, it is a wise and rewarding behavior for schools to buy IQ LCD Flat panels.

A number of teachers may not be aware of the benefits of using a smart board in the classroom as a teaching tool. While the traditional white or black board already has everyone’s attention, the electronic device is a new technology that is slowly gaining popularity due to its interactive power. 

The digital screen allows images from the computer to be displayed on a board. It can also be modified on the screen itself, using a pen or a highlighting tool. smart boards are becoming an essential component of every classroom.  This article will discuss the necessary points for using smart boards in the classroom.

1. It is a wonderful way to focus students’ attention in the classroom, especially in elementary school. Teachers report great success with having students come up and work out problems on the smart interactive board in front of the classroom. Because the technology is interesting, children are eager to work with it, and teachers should take advantage of this by having every student come up and work on the board.

2. Teachers can make the text and background on the smart interactive board any color they like, and they should take advantage of the brain’s natural tendencies towards memorization. The brain remembers more efficiently with blue or green backgrounds and white or yellow text. The screen does not have to stay this way, but a teacher can certainly use it during lessons where memorization is important.

3. The smart interactive board allows teachers to work through a lesson and save it for students to review at home. Thus, students can watch lessons at home, then come into class to work on their problems with a teacher. This may not be ideal for all situations, but it is certainly an interesting option for those inclined to test it.

4. It can accommodate different learning styles. Tactical learners can use the screen and learn by touching and marking at the board, audio learners can have a discussion and visual learners can observe the teaching on the board.

5. It is neater and does not have the cleanliness hassle and is therefore easier to maintain.

The smart interactive board is tomorrow’s technology and is bound to change the look of classrooms forever. Using interactive smart boards in your classroom can help you stay ahead with technology that could make the education process simpler and perhaps even more productive.

In a global survey of educators, more than 75% of the respondents said that technology and collaborative learning improve students’ social and emotional skill development. They also said that student success is 3.4 times more likely when collaborative learning practices and technology are used together frequently in the classroom. Given these insights and the fact that many students seem to learn better visually and kinesthetically, it’s not surprising that so many classrooms are incorporating interactive flat panel display (IFPD) technology into the curriculum.

There are several brands on the market, each has its advantages and disadvantages. Your education customers will have to consider several variables when making their purchasing decisions—including price, functionality and learning environment, to name a few. 

This article will talk about IQBoard interactive flat panel displays for your reference.

1. IQ Interactive LCD Flat Panel - IQTouch K Series

IQTouch K Series features 20-point touch and Android 8.0 system. 4K crystal clear display delivers the highest image quality. Available screen sizes are 65”, 75”, 86”. Optional multi-device casting software, IQClass 6.0 and installation-free IQClass Plus software help make an interactive teaching and collaboration.

Dual system- Android 8.0 system and Windows system of built-in OPS

Supports all-channel annotation to allow teachers to do annotation freely

Rich ports for external computers, fully compatible with Chromebook & Mac computer.

Power on lock and Screen lock can be set with a password.

2. IQBoard Interactive LCD Flat panel -IQTouch C Pro Series

IQTouch C Pro will create a collaborative and interactive atmosphere in the classroom or workplaces, where partners could work together by casting their mobile devices wirelessly. With IQShare Lite, IQTouch C Pro could realize no cable, not setup, no waiting to join in to share and display the laptop screen to IQTouch C Pro screen instantly.

Supports 20 points touch and 4K UHD display

Multi-screen casting software enable to cast mobile devices on the IQTouch C Pro screen wirelessly

With IQShare Lite to join in to share and display the laptop screen to IQTouch C Pro screen instantly.

Supports all-channel annotation

3. IQBoard Interactive LCD Flat panel -IQTouch L Pro Series

IQTouch L Pro features 10 point touch and Android 6.0 system. With multi-screen casting projection, it can create a collaborative and interactive atmosphere in the workplaces, where colleagues could work together by casting their devices wirelessly. It is very easy for annotation and 4K UHD crystal clear presentation.

Built-in Google Play Store under Android system to download applications

Built-in WiFi-hotspot and Bluetooth

All-Channel Annotation

Built-in whiteboard software with QR Code to share

Multi-screen casting software to enable to cast mobile screen to IQTouch L Pro screen wirelessly.

If you are interested in one of these IQTouch LCD Touch Panels , please don’t hesistate to contact us right now!

If you are going to buy an interactive digital display, what is your idea? Consider about the price? Or, the display size? This article will talk about things to consider about before you buy an interactive digital display.

1: Size and space are often a key factor, so choose a display provider that offers a wide range of screen sizes.

2: If you’re looking to add the interactive display to an existing setup, is the interactive display brand you are considering a “closed architecture” product? Or is it an open architecture solution that will integrate smoothly with your existing videoconferencing, cameras, software and other equipment?

3: Does the brand of interactive display you are considering have Windows embedded, or does it let you run the displays from your own OS that’s already approved by your IT department?

4: Will the purchase of the interactive display also require proprietary annotation software, proprietary cameras for video-conferencing, etc. in addition to the flat panel or projector-based display for the system to work optimally?

5: When it comes to using the displays, will the interactive display vendor require software licensing for all of your staff, adding further initial setup costs.

6: Enquire as to whether annotation and collaboration software is included in the price of the interactive display. Furthermore, will staff need training to operate the interactive display?

7: Does the interactive display use a third-party touch overlay for the multi-touch functions, or is it integrated into the design of the interactive display from the start of design/engineering?

8: For true collaboration, consider how many users can use the interactive display simultaneously. Enquire as to how many touch points the display you are considering will support.

9: If you’re looking to set up your display for interaction with multiple users, will it work in a BYOD (bring your own device) environment?

10: Will the interactive display perform additional digital signage functions if needed?

Interactive digital displays based on an open architecture model are proving to be the best way to seamlessly integrate new advanced interactive display solutions into the classroom or meeting room. Increasingly, organizations are doing this at a more modest cost, while simultaneously taking advantage of existing best practices and existing AV and video-conferencing equipment and software investments in the user’s organization.