The disadvantages of interactive whiteboards

woman and a teacher at seminar image by Dmitry Goygel-Sokol from Fotolia.com
In recent years, interactive whiteboards have emerged as a popular learning and collaboration tool. Instead of limiting presentations to a lecture format, an interactive whiteboard allows an entire group to participate, share ideas and document their progress.
These tools also allow presenters to identify unclear information through interactive testing and feedback. While interactive whiteboards have several distinct advantages, though, they have several disadvantages as well.
- In recent years, interactive whiteboards have emerged as a popular learning and collaboration tool.
- Instead of limiting presentations to a lecture format, an interactive whiteboard allows an entire group to participate, share ideas and document their progress.
Cost
Interactive whiteboards are far more expensive than comparable traditional whiteboards or projector screens. While this may not pose a problem for large corporations wanting to use these tools in their meeting rooms, it makes them difficult for some schools and non-profit organisations to obtain.
Damage
The surface of an interactive whiteboard can be easily marred and stained. If a person mistakenly uses a marker on an interactive whiteboard, the stain can be nearly impossible to remove. Damage usually results in costly repairs.
Data Distortion
While one of the benefits of interactive whiteboards is the ability to allow simultaneous data entry from multiple points, some boards can jumble or distort information coming from several input devices at once.
Disruptions
Interactive whiteboards offer meeting or presentation participants the ability to access the board remotely. This empowers users to send disruptive and off-topic comments and information to the screen.
References
Writer Bio
Owen Pearson is a freelance writer who began writing professionally in 2001, focusing on nutritional and health topics. After selling abstract art online for five years, Pearson published a nonfiction book detailing the process of building a successful online art business. Pearson obtained a bachelor's degree in art from the University of Rio Grande in 1997.