The future belongs to whiteboards

President and Co-CEO Nancy Knowlton of Canada-based Smart Technologies talks about advantages of whiteboards and their use in countries like India.

Smart Technologies of Canada is currently the world leader in interactive whiteboards. President and Co-CEO Nancy Knowlton, in an email interview, talks about advantages of whiteboards and their use in countries like India.

Interactive whiteboards are instructional blackboards, presentation screens and computer monitors all rolled into one. While they are very popular in the West, they are catching on real fast in India among government and defense establishments, corporate conference rooms and educational institutions.

Some claim that students learn easier with whiteboards rather than blackboards and British Prime Minister Tony Blair has declared that there'll be one in every classroom in the England. It's being preferred in the conference room too.

Q: How does an interactive whiteboard score over a blackboard in a school classroom?



A: The difference between using a blackboard and an interactive whiteboard is all about interactivity. Students can get interactive with hands-on resources. Teachers can use a variety of resources including Flash animations to address multiple learning styles.

Students can easily follow the gross motor action of a teacher reaching to touch on a particular location on the board. It's not the same with a mouse tip moving across a screen where children may miss what is happening on the screen.

Q: Is training a big issue? Do teachers in developing countries fail to utilize the benefits of whiteboards to the max?



A: Undoubtedly teachers need to be proficient in the use of ICT in the classroom as well as the strategies to effectively embed it throughout across the curriculum. Teachers, like students, learn in different ways. For some it is enough to explore the product and then try some things. For others who prefer a more structured learning environment, an instructor-led series of classes covering a wide range of topics might be more appropriate.

There are no discernible differences between Third-World teachers and those in developed countries in terms of their ability to use interactive whiteboards in the classroom. It really boils down to an interest in technology and making some upfront investment in discovering what options exist to engage their students with the new technology tools.

Q: Tony Blair has talked of a whiteboard in every school in UK. Is this where the future is heading? Is it a possible dream?



A: Yes, it appears that UK schools will soon have an interactive whiteboard in every classroom. When the UK government initiated its interactive whiteboard project more than two years ago, it was with the desire to initiate a profound change in teaching and learning in the UK. This is only possible when all teachers are committed to the effective embedding of ICT throughout the entire curriculum. With some early indications of good things happening, Local Authorities are encouraged to continue the investment in the hardware and software products, digital resources and teacher development.

Q: Since price is a big factor, is it possible to create cheaper models of whiteboards with limited capabilities for educational institutions?



A: We approach each market from the perspective of attempting to understand what that market needs. In India price and affordability are key concerns. We will address the Indian market with these needs in mind. Our approach will be to offer the best possible product with the greatest level of functionality in the Indian market.

Q: What key benefits do corporate and government customers see in whiteboards?



A: Many of the benefits that corporate and government customers enjoy with whiteboards are the same as in education. The first and perhaps most significant benefit is that the interactive whiteboard turns an individual's computer into a group computer. For business this translates into getting things done in meetings. In business time is money, so getting things completed faster is a high priority.

There is no question about the points under discussion when an interactive whiteboard is in use. The information is right there for all to see. Changes can be made to spreadsheets and documents and they are immediately visible for all to see and agree.

Q: How different is the India market? Are the needs any different?



A: There are several key differentiators in the Indian market:



First, India is a very large market with an enormous number of schools at all levels. The sheer size outpaces all but China. It would be a mistake to assume that there is any homogeneity to the market with many local differences.

Second, there is currently little use off technology in most Indian schools and not every classroom is connected to the Internet.



Third, teachers are in need of professional development to appropriately embed ICT in everyday teaching and learning.

Q: What has been the reaction to the Series 600 Whiteboards?



A: We will be launching the 600 series in India shortly and will be able to talk to this point very soon. Outside of India the response has been extremely positive as we expected. The 600 series is the result of hundreds of interviews with teachers and hundreds of observations of daily classroom interactions. While many of the changes that have been made within the 600 series are subtle, they improve the experience that teachers and students have when using the SMART Board interactive whiteboard.

(Courtesy: PCQuest/Living Digital)

SUNIL RAJGURU



NEW DELHI