Comparison Between Blackboard and Digital Smartboard for Online Classes
Blackboards have traditionally ruled every classroom. If one were to describe their school days, the humble blackboard and the infamous duster coughing up a storm of chalk dust would weave itself in every classroom story. However, the new wave of a digital classroom that is destined to grow exponentially, is steadily gathering admirers who swear by the benefits of an interactive display board. Not only schools but even instructors for online tuitions are combining technology and teaching transforming the regular class into a smart class. The lockdown-induced online teaching has further paved the way for emerging technologies in education that would redefine the learning curve of children and make up for the need for physical distancing.
Here are some pointers to help you compare between a blackboard and an interactive display board or a smart board as commonly known:-
Ease of Use
The common belief when it comes to choosing between a blackboard and tech tools for the classrooms is that the latter is more complicated and therefore more time-consuming. However, one cannot be farther from the truth with this myth. Although initially, it might take some time to adjust and incorporate computer technology in education, with regular use, you can befriend the benefits sooner. Additionally, a digital classroom makes several tools for education handy for example by reducing the time for grading and researching by providing everything just a click away. In online classes, a digital smartboard allows greater room for improvisation.
Cost of Installation
Money is another factor that shapes the decision-making process and while the blackboard is cheaper, it does not take into consideration the changing times. You may very easily have a blackboard installed for your online classes, however, the pivot to digital is more or less inevitable. This would mean that if not right away, you will eventually have to invest in a smart class soon. The constantly emerging technologies in education have necessitated an early investment in online education tools for teachers. The interactive smart board pays for itself and is destined to shape the future of technology in the classroom.
Improved Branding
Online classes have tasted unprecedented success as the schools shut down owing to the spread of COVID-19. In these times, several people took to the online forum to teach various things. To truly stand out as a tutor, aside from your teaching capabilities, combining technology and teaching will help you with your branding. It changes your perception as a tutor and you are viewed as someone who is catching up with the times and helping students understand concepts better through digital teaching. It also benefits your students and helps them learn more easily. Using online education tools for teachers helps educators speak the language of their students.
Better Classroom Management
Unlike a blackboard, an interactive display board assists teachers in managing their classes. The smart class can schedule sessions, set reminders, save sessions to be shared later, and do so much more. A smart digital classroom helps students schedule their day to ensure they don’t miss classes and promises maximum attendance during live sessions. Online classroom teaching often becomes a hassle without the scheduler because the work-from-home pattern has blended household chores with education. In such scenarios, setting timely reminders to attend sessions can be greatly beneficial.
Visual Learning Experience
Engaging your students through the online forum takes patience and practice and a blackboard might not be your best weapon especially when young adults or children are placed before a laptop for learning. With distractions a mere click away, incorporating the right tech tools for the classroom can shoulder most of your burden. Through a smart digital classroom that combines technology and teaching, you can make use of images and videos sourced from the web or make intelligent shapes and designs to bring alive dull subjects. Visuals aids will also help store information for longer because it helps students understand things must faster.
Expanding the Learning Horizon
The digital classroom enables access to a vast library of information at the tip of your fingers. This is one of the reasons why digital teaching is gaining popularity – it expands your learning horizon and encourages curiosity. You don’t have to “get back to your students” in the next class. By incorporating computer technology in education, you can search for the important questions that come up during your sessions. It facilitates intellectual discussions amongst the students and the tutors can modulate the conversations better with the information made readily available.
Measurable Success
Digital teaching facilitated by a smartboard instead of the traditional blackboard can measure success better and faster. You can grade students easily and provide individual feedback efficiently. Moreover, with visual learning aids, you can see the grades of your students climbing up because they understand subjects in depth.
To conclude, the future of technology in the classroom begins with an interactive smartboard. It enlivens online classroom teaching by making use of interactive and engaging tools. And while it may be difficult to shake off the nostalgia of the traditional blackboard, it is important to consider that an interactive smart board is a huge improvement and upgrade for online classes.
