Benefits of Whiteboards

In recent times the whiteboard has become a permanent fixture in schools, colleges, Universities, offices, hospitals - everywhere basically! It may have crept in almost unnoticed, but the humble whiteboard has revolutionized the way we present information to large audiences - making it much easier to edit what is being written and presented in real time and helping to create a much more interactive atmosphere where creativity can come to the fore - be it in the classroom or a high powered business meeting.

One of the major advantages a whiteboard has over its predecessor, the blackboard, is that it is completely reusable and easy to clean. The old blackboards would quickly get clogged up with chalk and look tired and hard to read pretty quickly. The act of cleaning them would also be very demanding - we all remember teachers hitting chalk rubbers together and the subsequent cloud of dust, right!?

The markers used on whiteboards are designed to be easy to clean and to always stand out - meaning everyone in the room should be able to see clearly. The only problem here is if you use the wrong kind of markers (the permanent kind!) you may find it a tad difficult to get it off and it may even require screen wash.

The lack of chalk and dust also removes the chances of any allergic reactions during use, and likewise, dust sensitive technology (like computers and projectors) can be used nearby with no risk of being affected.

Whiteboards have also helped a great deal in reducing the carbon footprint of many schools and workplaces as they enable them to use less paper - making them a great environmentally friendly tool.

Another advantage, which may seem trivial but is actually keenly felt by those who use them most, is that it is much easier to write on whiteboards than chalk boards and paper flip charts. Writing with chalk on a blackboard for a prolonged period would cause cramps and muscle strains and could cause teachers in particular a lot of discomfort. Whiteboard markers, by contrast, are much easier to grip and do not require anywhere near the same amount of pressure as chalk. The surface is also very smooth, making them much easier to write on than rough flipchart paper.

A lot of modern whiteboards are also magnetic, which is another great advantage. Magnetic notice boards can be great for use as bulletin boards for meetings when you can use magnets to attach notices and important documents etc...

While it may be quite underrated, the humble whiteboard has a lot of advantages and, without being noticed, has become an integral part of many of our everyday lives. Rather than diminish the presence of whiteboards, new technologies are helping to develop it even further, with interactive whiteboards now starting to become commonplace in schools around the world.

Read an interesting post about cheap notice boards