The teaching methods adopted and the learning tools used have a direct impact on the motivation, involvement, and enthusiasm of apprentices. Today, digital solutions are increasingly popular to make courses more fun and interactive. They are effective in retaining attention and facilitating the understanding of the concepts taught. Different equipment is available on the market and offers distinct advantages with their disadvantages. It is therefore important to differentiate between interactive whiteboards and digital boards to make the right choice. How to make the distinction and which one to favor? We invite you to take stock of the subject in this article.
Flexibility and adaptability to different learning and working environments
The use of digital solutions has made learning easier. They promote collaboration and make courses more engaging. However, the different tools do not necessarily meet the same needs. That is why it is important to compare carefully before purchasing. The type of interaction on an interactive whiteboard and a digital board is not similar, as are the features offered and their accessibility.
The interactive whiteboard
It is quite possible to use interactive whiteboards for schools, training centers, businesses or communities. It easily adapts to different work environments and offers direct interaction to learners. It has the advantage of being versatile thanks to its compatibility with various other tools and devices. In addition, this equipment is much cheaper on the market, with various formats.
However, you should know that the use of this equipment is mainly intended for a physical environment. It is indeed complicated to access it remotely. In addition, its physical surface remains restricted. Consequently, the elements that you can display there remain limited.
The digital table
Unlike the interactive whiteboard, the digital board uses a virtual space that you can organize and use without physical limits. It also facilitates remote exchanges, thanks to the possibility of exchanging content in real-time. This tool is therefore ideal for remote collaborations, especially since it provides a wide range of features. The teacher can use different media in their teaching, ranging from images to videos.
However, this solution is not without its drawbacks. Its use is highly technology-dependent. This means that a possible breakdown can affect the continuation of learning. In addition, this equipment requires a higher initial investment compared to the IWB.
It is therefore important to define your priorities and take stock of your real needs to choose between the two pieces of equipment.
Ease of use and learning curve for teachers and professionals
The interactive whiteboard has the advantage of being easy to use. It is much more accessible and more familiar to teachers, given that its use does not deviate from traditional whiteboards. No specific training is therefore required to adopt it with a rapid adaptation time. This further contributes to reducing costs. Whether in the context of a meeting, presentation or training, this equipment can perfectly do the job.
On the other hand, digital boards require mastery of the various functionalities available . Professionals and teachers must familiarize themselves with their use through in-depth training. They must therefore devote time to adapting to them to benefit from their various advantages. The transition to this solution cannot therefore be improvised and can generate additional costs.
These different points must be taken into consideration before investing. In this way, you will be able to take advantage of the performance of the chosen tool, without wasting time.
In short, even if interactive whiteboards and digital boards aim to make learning more fun, many differences must be noted. The features, objectives, and cost are very different. Hence the importance of determining your specific needs before purchasing. Be aware that the price of this equipment also varies from one model to another. So think about playing the competition and comparing several versions to find the one you need. In any case, the right choice will allow you to improve the teaching and collaborative sharing experience. Participants and learners will be more motivated and engaged in the meeting, presentation or training. They will be able to better understand the concepts shared thanks to more modern and more effective methods.
