Nursery World - Switch on to ict (7)

Computer Kids director April Jones on choosing an interactive whiteboard An interactive whiteboard is a screen that is sensitive to touch or the presence of an electromagnetic pen, allowing the user to control a computer directly from the whiteboard image. This technology requires a computer, data projector and the whiteboard itself. The computer is connected to the projector and whiteboard, and the projector displays the computer screen image on the board. As you point at active elements on the board, using your finger or an electronic 'pen', the action is transmitted to the computer.

An interactive whiteboard is a screen that is sensitive to touch or the presence of an electromagnetic pen, allowing the user to control a computer directly from the whiteboard image. This technology requires a computer, data projector and the whiteboard itself. The computer is connected to the projector and whiteboard, and the projector displays the computer screen image on the board. As you point at active elements on the board, using your finger or an electronic 'pen', the action is transmitted to the computer.

There are essentially four types of interactive whiteboard: Resistive technology: A touch- sensitive sandwich construction enables the whiteboard to be used without the need for any special pens - you can use your fingers or a dummy pen. SMART boards have some excellent free educational software available on their website.

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