Programming Research Group Technical Report TR-16-00

Out of the office into the school : electronic whiteboards for education

Christian Greiffenhagen

December 2000, 29 pp.

Abstract

In this paper the use of boards as a tool for communication in offices and schools is reviewed. The importance of boards for mathematics teaching is discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of `traditional' blackboards and `electronic' whiteboards are outlined by giving a comprehensive literature review of reports on electronic boards.

It is argued that due to a lack of research it has not been possible to convert the benefits that electronic whiteboards (`e-boards') offer in office settings, namely to print, save, and share the written information on the board, into the classroom. `Stand-alone' electronic whiteboards without additional devices, such as electronic tablets or hand-held scanners, are seen to reinforce a `talk and chalk' style of teaching. Consequently, it has yet to be demonstrated that electronic whiteboards could provide a benefit for teaching and learning. Some suggestions are given as to how additional input devices might offer new opportunities for communication in the classroom.


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