Chalk Talk vs Smart Board: Which One to Choose?

For most of us, classroom education is limited to the traditional blackboard and chalk. Black contrasted with white (the colour of a particular subject or theme) was the mode of learning through which generations of students gained their education. With the advent of the new technological age, some schools and educational institutions are turning to the use of whiteboards.

Instead of painting a fine layer of chalk dust over the entire class, teachers could now easily use markers to teach important concepts to their students. Soon after, smart boards were introduced. These technologically advanced learning systems allow lessons to be taught using colourful 3D diagrams, videos and other immersive learning methods. But is the old still gold? How do traditional chalkboards compare with interactive smartboards? Let's find out!

Improved interaction and collaboration: Unlike Blackboard, where learning is a one-way interaction (teacher teaches, students learn), Interactive Smart Board solutions increase and simplify the level of collaboration between teachers and students. The use of Blackboard is limited to one user at any given time, which makes it difficult to modify or annotate content without deleting old lessons. In contrast, the interactive SmartKanban allows content to be annotated, manipulated, made available via an app and more. This makes learning a collaborative effort and increases student curiosity and the urge to learn, resulting in more effective learning outcomes.

Enhanced visualisation for teachers and students: Research has shown that humans respond to and process visual data better than any other type of data. In fact, the human brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text, and 90% of the information transmitted to the brain is visual.

Humans are visual creatures and they are more likely to learn better through visual cues. This means that students are more likely to enjoy and remember lessons that are taught using video and high-quality images. Interactive Smart Learning tools replace the stark black and white 2D images on the board allowing teachers to incorporate high definition images, videos and graphics into their lessons. This not only makes learning more visually appealing and engaging, but also makes it easier to explain difficult concepts in the classroom.

Helps parents keep up with their children's learning: with Blackboard, parents' knowledge of what is being taught in the classroom is limited to what their child tells them or through direct conversations with the teacher. Blended learning means that lessons are stored online and available on the app. This ensures that parents are kept up to date with their child's progress and education.

Encouraging learning: Anyone who has studied with a blackboard can understand how it feels when a teacher erases the day's lesson before a person has had a chance to fully memorise what has been taught. With the advent of interactive smart whiteboards, students no longer have to face this fear. All lessons are stored in the cloud and can be accessed by students at any time for learning purposes. This is also helpful for students with learning disabilities or who are absent from class.

The nostalgia for the blackboard is undoubtedly hard to shake, but that doesn't mean that students now have to learn in the same way. Smart whiteboards are a huge step forward in teaching and learning and can make learning and teaching enjoyable for all involved.