Different boards work in different ways. Follow the link for more information on a portable interactive whiteboard. There are electromagnetic field interfaces, optical interfaces, and resistive interfaces, for example. Passive and active electromagnetic boards work by using magnets to affect the wiring in the board or stylus to transmit the movement of the stylus. Optical boards work when the writing implement interrupts light from the projector, allowing it to determine the location of the writing implement. Resistive boards use pressure from the writing implement to tell the computer where to place lines. There are other options, as well, though they all do basically the same things.
They work well in schools. A teacher can present a lecture to the class as they normally would with a slideshow presentation. When you use an interactive whiteboard, however, you can then alter the images on the screen. This allows teachers to highlight important points, add elucidating information, or make connections between pieces of information visually as well as verbally. It also allows students to interact with the lesson by adding their own information or questions to the slides themselves.
Interactive whiteboards are also good for businesses. Presentations can be made with pre-made slides or images just as you would with regular projection presentations. As the presentation progresses, the presenter can add information to the slides or have coworkers add their own input.
No matter where you use them, they have many advantages. One is the ease with which you can record the information written on them. The software installed on the computer can be used to record the changes made to the images as they happen and replay those changes. The only way to capture the information on a standard whiteboard would be to photograph it in some way. That works, but is time consuming and more difficult to do. Also, with a standard white board, once something has been erased, it's gone forever. You can restore things that have been erased or erase things that have been added.
With some systems, you can use additional devices to increase its functionality. To learn more about about interactive whiteboard, visit www.tekpanel.com. This includes wireless input devices (like mice or clickers) that allow someone to change the image on the screen from a distance. Another addition are personal tablets or slates, which allow audience members to interact with the information from their seats.