The best way to think of an interactive whiteboard is that you have a giant computer screen and a mouse. The interactive board connects to the
computer via a supplied data cable. The computer’s image is displayed
onto the interactive whiteboard via the digital projector.
By using the pen supplied with the interactive whiteboard you can
completely control the computer in the same way as you would with a
standard computer mouse. The software supplied with the interactive whiteboard will typically work in two ways, either as a fully interactive
electronic flipchart or in Windows desktop mode to control any Windows application such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint etc.
How does it work?
The board uses a special sensing surface buried in the whiteboard to track
the movement of the pen across the board. The surface of the board is manufactured with a very durable Formica material which can withstand
heavy use over a number of years. Its matte finish offers excellent
projector screen capability minimising the glare associated with bright
projection lamps.
Software
Before using the interactive whiteboard, software needs to be installed on
the computer. Typically, this will be in stages; installing the application, installing resources and installing a driver to make it work.
Interactive whiteboard pen
Each interactive whiteboard is supplied with a special pen that enables
you to control the computer. The pen is both cordless and battery free,
so it never need be charged up and is always ready to use. It has both a
left and a right mouse button, just like a standard computer mouse.
