There are several factors that will go into choosing a digital board for teaching, such as the size of your classroom, the budget, the age of your students, the requirements to set it up and begin using it, and more. Therefore, it is important to fully understand the features of a model that you may be considering. I will explain more in detail below.
The following are the main factors that you should take into consideration before selecting a digital board for teaching:
| 10 Features to Look for While Choosing an Interactive Whiteboard | |
| Factor | Description |
| 1. Cabling and Connections | Keeping your whiteboard running at peak performance requires some research into its power and connectivity needs. Whether it’s cables to link the board to a computer or hooks for an internet connection, make sure that you have all of the necessary equipment available – Bluetooth can help limit how many cords are needed in certain instances! It may seem like tedious work, but guaranteeing smooth functionality is essential. |
| 2. USB-C connectivity | USB-C is revolutionizing the classroom experience with its plug-and-play capabilities, allowing teachers to connect quickly and easily. Outperforming previous cords in both speed and efficiency, it replaces multiple cables with a single reversible cable for video, audio or power – no extra outlet necessary! Its universal standard makes USB enabled displays an investment that will never be obsolete; ensuring today’s teaching methods are prepared for tomorrow’s technology. |
| 3. Front-Facing Ports | For teachers with aging laptops or those wanting to easily incorporate more devices into their classrooms, front-facing I/O ports are a great solution. Without having to physically turn the laptop around or flip through cords at the back of monitors, these ports provide easy access and enable an uninterrupted flow during lessons – preventing frustrating delays in class! |
| 4. Touch Technology | There are 3 factors to consider while speaking about touch technology:
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| 5. Audio | Interactive panels may seem like they have it all, but if you want a truly immersive experience in your classroom, consider the sound quality. While many interactive screens come with built-in speakers at 10 watts each – and rear facing no less! – good sound doesn’t stop there. Facing speakers make for an upgrade that’s worth noticing: louder volume levels and better clarity of audio will capture any student’s attention. For those who really want to crank up their learning environment, additional sound bars are available cheaply so you can create an acoustic atmosphere worthy of the best classrooms around. |
| 6. Microphone Array | Microphone arrays are all about taking sound capture to a whole new level. With multiple mics working together, you can get immersive surround-sound quality on even the smallest devices — allowing listeners to experience audio with an unprecedented dynamic range and clarity. For virtual classes where students attend remotely, this kind of technology is essential for ensuring their voices come through loud and clear while background noise is canceled out completely. Get ready: microphone arrays will revolutionize your listening experience! |
| 7. Size & Shape of the Screen | Choosing the right size of whiteboard for your needs is an essential part of any room’s setup. A large one will ensure that everyone, even those far back in a larger meeting space or classroom, can easily take in all it has to offer at once and make sure nothing goes unnoticed. Aspect ratio should also be taken into consideration; while 4:3 (standard) still remains popular with many users, 16:9 acquires more popularity due to its wide screen appeal given current laptop screens and projectors typically utilizing this aspect approach. |
| 8. Resolution | Technology is continuously evolving, and resolution quality is no exception. For digital panels with a crisp, clear picture there’s no better standard than 1080P High Definition (HD) Resolution or higher – which at the moment means 4K Ultra HD. Boasting 3840×2160 pixels of vibrant colors per screen to make visuals come alive in any environment, it’s truly revolutionary when compared to pre-existing standards. |
| 9. Networking and Wi-Fi | My advice is to only purchase a model that has some type of internet or Wi-Fi capabilities. This is one of the most important factors on this list because internet and Wi-Fi will ensure that it offers more resources, lesson plans, research options, and games all in one device. Without internet, it is not much different than a regular dry-erase board. |
| 10. Multi-Student Participation Available | If you are a teacher or educator teaching multiple students at once, you may want to find a model that has multi-student participation capabilities. By ensuring this, your board will allow several students to participate in games, lessons, presentations, and more. |
If you are still on board with buying an interactive digital board for teaching in your classroom, take a look at Nativity Religious Education Program—Burke’s YouTube video. In the video, you will see two teachers who will provide instructions on how to begin using it as well as how to connect it to a laptop. Both of these details are important for you to know before you purchase a digital board and start using it.
