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From board rooms to classrooms, whiteboards have made their presence felt in the past few years. Two of the biggest markets for interactive whiteboards are educational institutions and secondly corporate meeting rooms. With computers, projectors and other electronic equipment and the Internet already having become integral parts of these venues, whiteboards contribute to enhancing their value with the flexibility and features they offer.

Blackboards and the traditional chalk and duster are being pushed to obscurity in classrooms. In fact, while less than 40% of primary and secondary schools in the UK used interactive whiteboards about four years ago, the situation has now changed with close to 90% of these institutions making the switch to interactive whiteboards. Likewise, electronic whiteboards have become an indispensable component of corporate meeting rooms.

Numerous studies focused on the education sector have shown significant improvements in students' results following the advent of whiteboards in the classroom, undoubtedly as a result of an evolution in teaching methods that encourage greater student participation.

Some of the key benefits that make interactive whiteboards so attractive are:

• Provide more interactivity, spontaneity and thus boosts creativity.
• Better retention of information with improved listening skills: recipients of information shared on a whiteboard can now focus on what is being communicated and participate in it, rather than trying to take notes.
• Time savings for both teachers and students as well as for business executives as the interactive whiteboard can become a good medium to collate different ideas.
• Healthier alternative, particularly for those who suffer from chalk/dust allergy.

In this buyer's guide, we will touch upon the different types of whiteboards available in the market (including briefly covering the non-electronic ones), the various features and functions of whiteboards, typical pricing and maintenance considerations. In short, this buyer's guide will provide you with useful information, tips and buying advice to ensure that you are not only buying the right whiteboard but also able to optimally use it.