board versus slate

[gwaltc4658]

My school is going to purchase 4 promethean boards. I have heard that buying the slate may be more practical. Is there anywhere I can search to find out the advantages/disadvantages to purchasing one over the other?
Thanks,
Connie Gwaltney

[LisaD]

Practical. : ( Well, it would be less expensive.

I am not keen on slate-only solutions for several reasons.

If you are primarily wanting to "present" information to students, a slate is fine, but if you really want the students to interact with the information a board is MUCH better.

I see if I can find some threads on this and post them.

Lisa

[LisaD]

Here is something I wrote a while back as part of a project I was doing. Perhaps this could be helpful.

Is an electronic whiteboard itself needed?

As with any technology, the integration is only as successful as its implementation.

Many factors must be carefully considered prior to purchasing and installing an electronic whiteboard in general.

The first decision must be whether or not an interactive whiteboard is needed at all. Certainly, school systems could realize the advantage of being able to share multimedia software and Internet-based resources with students using a projector, either on a cart or ceiling mounted with either a screen or white panel boards that are affixed to the wall.

However, the interactive nature of an ACTIVboard interactive whiteboard and the student participation flexibility is indeed one of its most enduring qualities.

At a very basic level, interactive whiteboards can be used as a glorified chalkboard; although, this would be a tragic waste of the potential that lies within the technology.

Students have an innate need to be an active participant in their learning. Therefore, being able to touch and interact with the whiteboard is a key component to their learning. Furthermore, the interactive nature allows the teacher to interact with software and other resources that allow the content to come alive.

To restate:

Some teachers report that just being up there next to the board allows student to better focus. For example, imagine if the teacher was demonstrating an idea from the back of the room with just a projector an even just a wireless controller. The students would be looking one place (the screen) and hearing from another source (the teacher at the computer or in the back of the room) With the teacher at the board circling the idea and/or physically pointing to the idea allows some students would finally be able to focus and pull it all together.

Secondly, think of the ACTIVboard as the campfire that we all can gather around. Students need to touch and do. With just a remote (Slate) or a projector, student participation is eliminated or, at the minimum, chances are reduced.

I'm sure others could weigh in with their opinions. It is a very valid question.

The next question would be (I would imagine) what type of interactive whiteboard? Does it matter?

[saha]

Hi Connie,
If you are in the United States you will not be able to buy just the slates and project ActivStudio from the projector. This would be a license violation.

Having said that there are competitors like "Interwrite" who sell a slate solution with no Board. They claim that this solution dramatically cuts down on cost.

Pedagogically it is impractical to teach in a conventional classroom with just a slate and no board. Just like it is a natural thing to write with a pen, it is also a natural thing to have a central board in the classroom which is the focal point of both teacher and students.

[mrcarlb]

A slate with no board would be rather like a car with no engine. You could still move forward - but the rate of speed would be terribly slow since you'd have to push the darn thing....

Carl

[davidlloyd]

And if you bought a non Promethean solution you wouldn't have software that can produce such superb interactive teaching and learning material{}

[Joshua]

It was thought up when the creation of interactive whiteboards, that all of this great technology would be centered around one thing.... making learning fun... and getting the kids involved in the lesson.

[gpatrenos]

If you want the students up and engaged...
GO FOR THE BOARDS.[clap][clap]
Activboards are also a great way to get your teachers revved up.:D