Panasonic Communications of Japan is scheduled to introduce six models of two types of electronic whiteboards, reports Tech On, a Nikkei publication. Greater emphasis is being put on security in the soon-to-be-introduced whiteboards.

For instance, passwords can be set on the LCD display of the main unit that will prevent data from being printed or saved on to another storage device. Moreover, there will be capability to alert users if data has not been cleared from the whiteboard.

The two types of whiteboards to be introduced are a film-board type which can be hung on a wall while a steel-board type can have documents posted using magnets. The film-board type models will come with significantly enhanced readability. According to the report, the retail price of these whiteboards are likely to be in the US$2000- US$3100 range.

More details on the new whiteboard models here.

According to market research firm, Futuresource,  181,634 interactive whiteboards were shipped in Q3 of this year, a whopping 69.2 percent increase the same period last year.

This astounding growth around the world in interactive whiteboard product category is expected to continue. In fact the firm predicts that the annual number of units shipped will double over the next three to four years, with global classroom market penetration increasing from 5.4 percent in 2008 to 16.2 percent, or approximately one in six classrooms, by 2012.

UK classrooms have the highest penetration of interactive whiteboards, with almost 72 percent of the classrooms featuring these boards. Mexico and the US are a distant second and third with 26.7 percent and 22.4 percent classroom penetration, respectively.

RM, a company dealing with applications for the educational sector, has decided to acquire Computrac of the US, reports The Inquirer, for about $8 million.Computrac is involved in the design, supply and installation of interactive whiteboards among other digital products for classrooms.  The two companies have already been involved with each other in a software sales arrangement. This acquisition brings considerable synergies to RM's business  and is expected to help the companis in their quest to provide cutting edge technology for educational institutions. Source: The Inquirer

With interactive whiteboards taking over classrooms across the UK, it is certainly surprising to see the occasional critical comment about these gadgets that have undoubtedly changed how teaching takes place in the classrooms.

In a guest post on ZDNet blogs, Morgan Panting talks about her dislike for interactive whiteboards. In fact she goes to the extent of stating that these boards probably impair learning! Among other things, she cites the alignment/ orientation issue  as a key irritant.  She makes her preference for the old fashioned whiteboard crystal clear.

Somebody should be pointing out to Morgan all the studies that point to the positive impact of interactive whiteboards on students right from primary schools to college level education. But then, will that stop at least somebody from cribbing...  

A new study, reported on Science Daily, indicates that the British government's investment in interactive whiteboards in schools which is among the world's largest, is paying off. Not only has interactive whiteboards grown in popularity, but their impact on teaching in the classroom has now been scientifically studied and reported.

An excerpt from the article on how teachers studied for the reported used and benefited from interactive whiteboards:

In the study, English, history, mathematics and science teachers used interactive whiteboards and data projectors in various ways.

• Circling and highlighting make complex ideas more concrete and draw attention to particular features 


• Spotlighting, enlarging and zooming can help to investigate detail and keep attention on key concepts


• Dragging and dropping are used to classify objects. 

A unique strength of IWB technology is that it allows teachers and students to revisit previous sessions of saved activity, which helps to reignite and build on earlier learning. The researchers also found that using IWBs can:

• Provide new opportunities for learners to express themselves publicly, receive critical feedback and reformulate their thoughts. 


• Stimulate discussion.


• Allow teachers to adapt to individual learning needs. 

Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, the study shows that if used correctly, interactive whiteboards can be an "immensely powerful tool" that supports active and participative learning in many ways.

Source: ScienceDaily