Interactive Whiteboards vs. Wireless Slates

Our district is trying to decide if classrooms should be equiped with a projector and an interactive whiteboard or just a projector and wireless slate. Could you please tell me the pro and cons of each? What can you do with the interactive whiteboards that you would not be able to do with the wireless slates? An thoughts, articles, research would be helpful.

Tags: iboards

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Permalink Reply by Jody Maxey on July 9, 2010 at 1:45pm

Depends on the subject, I think. Our math teachers have slates and love them. I teach science and don't have the need for a slate, but I use my mimio (like a smartboard) and document camera every day.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Thomson on July 9, 2010 at 2:55pm

I have both a Smartboard (mounted) and a wireless slate (Airliner). I found the Airliner extremely challenging to use myself despite persistent effort at it. The Smartboard is very easy to use, also it allows students to get up and out of their seats to use it.

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Permalink Reply by Les Biffle on August 7, 2010 at 7:07pm

Does anyone use a graphics tablet that is a different brand from their iwb? For example, if you have a Promethean board, do you use a tablet such as a Wacom, instead of Promethean's Active Slate? The Promethean product is pretty expensive, and I am looking to save some money. Does the graphics tablet work independently of the iwb? Does it matter what brand of tablet you use with a board?

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Permalink Reply by Mike Beverly on August 10, 2010 at 1:19pm

I would recommend using an interactive whiteboard. From what I have seen it is a better way to engage students and offers more creativity for your lesson plans. Check out this article on interactive whiteboards. It shows an example of a lesson you can do using interactive whiteboard technology. http://bit.ly/byR8ld

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Permalink Reply by Les Biffle on August 10, 2010 at 8:40pm

Mike,
Thanks for your suggestion. However, I already have used a Promethean board for the last year. I'm looking now to buy a graphics tablet to complement the iwb. I'm just hoping someone can tell me if they have had good results with a different brand of tablet than their board.

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Permalink Reply by John J Caprice on August 15, 2010 at 5:11pm

Dear Jeff,

Any tablet will work, they are primarily pen/mouse input devices. What makes one different from another is the software, battery life, wireless format, warranty, support, and general physical structure of the tablets.
I personally like the ePad by RM Education. Their new Easiteach software package is intuitive and feature rich. Ed pricing at around $299.00
This is not a sales pitch....just my "vendor" based opinion.
JJC