Tips and Best Practices for Using an Interactive Whiteboard: Part Two

Posted: Aug. 16th, 2015

The previous article in this series demystified some of the operational issues.


This article expands on that discussion for more tips and information for using your interactive whiteboard.


1. Consider Brightness Levels when Buying Interactive Whiteboard Projectors
1500 lumens is the standard brightness level for use with classroom projectors as recommended by BECTA. Avoid projectors with anything over 1500 lumens because these have been associated with health and safety fears wherever they are used. Additionally, avoid looking directly or passing through the light beam when using the projector. To further reduce the intensity of the light, use the whiteboard’s off-white background color.


2. Health and Safety Issues
Always keep cables in a trunk or conduit and keep them away from walkways to prevent people from tripping and wearing out the cables. Always be on the lookout for protruding marker trays on the whiteboard that can scrape and injure passers-by.


While wheeled-stands can be another perfect way to move the interactive whiteboard around, they are another prime source for incidents of tripping.
Wheeled-stands used to move the interactive whiteboard around

3. The Right Height for Placing the Interactive Whiteboard
When positioning the interactive whiteboard, it is always important to consider the height and age of the teachers and students who will be using the board and the applications that will be used. Some applications will need to be initiated by the teacher while others would need to be accessed from the top of the whiteboard. In such a case, the whiteboard will need to be placed within the reach of every student and teacher.
Place the interactive whiteboard within the reach of every student and teacher
Some of the newer pieces of equipment come with height adjustable stands such as the IntechBoard Mobile Stand that allows the whiteboard’s height to be adjusted along the stand’s length. Other solutions such as wall-mounted systems with height-adjustability and platforms for younger children can be used to ensure everyone has access to the interactive whiteboard.


4. Calibrating the Interactive Whiteboard
When the interactive whiteboard and related peripheral devices are installed, they are normally calibrated to work with the environment they have been installed in. When any major piece of equipment such as the interactive whiteboard or projector is moved, you will have to recalibrate the system, though newer systems can automatically calibrate themselves.


You will also need to update the settings on your laptop or PC in case the display from your computer to the whiteboard is faulty. Most laptops are now running native 1280 x 800 resolutions (16:9 aspect ratios) while most entry-level projectors still run native 1024 x 768 resolutions.


One of the best ways to ensure your content is correctly displayed on the interactive whiteboard is to use the laptop’s “Multiple Display” function to extend your desktop to the interactive whiteboard. To enable this function, head over to “Control Panel” on your laptop, click on “Screen Resolution” under “Appearance and Resolution” and select 1024 x 768 in the drop down menu under “Resolution.” Click “Apply” and you will be on your way to enjoying the complete interactive experience straight from your laptop.




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Next:Tips and Best Practices for Using an Interactive Whiteboard: Part One