Less expensive digital whiteboards (web or app-based alternatives) are disrupting more expensive options for whiteboards in schools. In this blog entry, we’ll take a look at some digital whiteboard solutions as alternatives to more expensive solutions.

Modeling Thinking with Digital Whiteboards

Digital whiteboards enable students and teachers to make thinking visible. Yet,without explicit professional learning (such as what the TCEA Professional Development team offers), teachers may not reach their full potential in using technology. The National Educational Technology Plan (January 2017) makes this point succinctly:

Technology can accelerate, amplify…expand the impact of effective teaching practices…to be transformative, educators need to have the knowledge…skills to take full advantage of technology-rich learning environments. [emphasis mine]

Organization and Interactivity Are Key

Digital whiteboards cost less to deploy, are more mobile, and lend themselves to increased teacher organization and student interactivity. ASCD’s Educational Leadership magazine points out requisite strategies for using whiteboards:

1. Teachers should think through how they intend to organize information.
2. Digital flipcharts should contain visuals. Those visuals must focus learners on important information.
3. Students need to express themselves.
4. Assist students in focusing on essential content in the lesson.

These effective strategies work regardless of how much you may have spent on your whiteboard solution as long as you first invest in professional learning for your staff.