Whiteboard

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This article is about physical whiteboards. For software-based whiteboards, see Whiteboarding.
A blank whiteboard

A whiteboard (also known as a markerboard, dry-erase board, dry-wipe board or a pen-board) is a name for any glossy surface, most commonly colored white, where non-permanent markings can be made. Whiteboards operate analogously to chalkboards in that they allow markings to temporarily adhere to the surface of the board. The popularity of whiteboards increased rapidly in the mid-1990s and they have become a fixture in many offices, meeting rooms, school classrooms, and other work environments.[1]

Instead of using chalk (as on chalkboards) to make the markings, a special marker pen containing removable ink is used (see non-permanent marker). Whiteboards are constructed with one of three materials; the cheaper melamine resin, polyester coated steel and more expensive models made from enameled steel. Steel whiteboards are magnetic, so one can use magnets to affix notes or a magnetic eraser to them. Enameled steel boards are more durable than painted steel and standard melamine boards. Melamine resin and painted steel will fade to a slight gray color over time, as ink of the dry markers enters into the pores of the material. Vitreous enamel is practically impermeable for dry marker ink and will remain white throughout the lifespan of the whiteboard. Enameled, coated steel and melamine all exhibit ghosting. Ghosting occurs as a result of the solvents (usually alcohol) in dry markers that effectively make the board cleaner where there has been writing. This remains visible after the ink is wiped off, but ghosting disappears after a short time.

The term whiteboard is also used metaphorically to refer to features of computer software applications that simulate whiteboards. Virtual whiteboards allow one or more people to write or draw images on a simulated canvas. This is a common feature of many virtual meeting, collaboration, and instant messaging applications. Today, the term Whiteboard is also used to refer to interactive whiteboards.

Contents

[edit] Whiteboard history

A combination whiteboard and bulletin board

Modern whiteboards evolved from chalkboards.

In the 1990s, concern over allergies and other potential health risks posed by chalk dust prompted the replacement of many blackboards with whiteboards. A whiteboard, otherwise known as a dry-erase board, uses special pens to make colored marks.

The first whiteboards were very expensive and the markers were toxic. Other whiteboards were made of a melamine or enameled hardboard surface. It was the "perfect" solution to the chalkboard, except that it ghosted in a short time and was not easy to keep clean. The first enamel-on-steel write-on/ wipe-off magnetic whiteboard is believed to have been created by Magiboards in the UK. Inventor Michael Boone of the United States, was the first to successfully mass-market the "Boone Board" brand dry-erase board.

Over the last 10 years, the enamel-on-steel magnetic whiteboard has gone through some improvements, such as cost reduction and a reduction in glare caused by the glossy surface.

[edit] Advantages

  • Whiteboard ink markings are less susceptible to external factors, such as water, because the ink adheres in a different manner than chalk does to chalkboards. As well, using markers does not generate the dust that comes from using and erasing chalk, allowing their use in areas containing dust-sensitive equipment. Some who are allergic to chalk or are asthmatic use whiteboards as an alternative.
  • A whiteboard can be used as the projecting medium for an overhead or video projector. This allows the person giving the presentation to fill in blanks, edit, underline and make comments by writing directly onto the whiteboard, which in turn shows through the projected image.
  • A dry erase marker is easier to hold and write with. This can benefit persons with limited mobility in their hands, such as those affected by diseases such as arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus. In addition, marking on a whiteboard takes less time, effort, and pressure than marking on a chalkboard.
  • Whiteboards save paper.
  • When compared to a chalkboard a whiteboard can have significantly more colors because markers have a greater range of color than chalk.

[edit] Disadvantages

Whiteboards are slightly more expensive than blackboards. In addition, only special whiteboard markers are suitable for use on whiteboards. Using other markers that resemble whiteboard markers but contain the wrong kind of ink creates markings that are hard or impossible to remove. However, some techniques have been developed, which include filling over them using a marker with the right type of removable ink and then erasing the ink; wiping the marks with acetone or alcohol; or by using board cleaning sprays or prepackaged wipes commercially available from the whiteboard manufacturers.

The white background can cause contrast problems for people with vision impairment. Additionally, whiteboards cause some problems for those who write left-handed as many write with their hand curved around the pen, therefore causing their hand to drag across the board, smearing the marker strokes previously made. Similarly, right-handed people have this problem with right-to-left languages, such as Arabic. This limitation is also present with a chalkboard.

Another disadvantage of the whiteboard is concerned with the issues of the actual usable ink remaining in a dry-erase marker. Since the markers are often tightly sealed in plastic, it is not possible to accurately gauge the amount of ink available. In contrast, blackboards, using chalk do not have this problem as the chalk visibly reduces with use.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Chalkboards slowly erased from schools". Associated Press. 2002-06-02. http://archives.cnn.com/2002/fyi/teachers.ednews/06/02/vanishing.chalkboards.ap/. Retrieved on 12 December 2006. 
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