Whiteboard
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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-1980s and they have become a fixture in many offices, meeting rooms, school classrooms, and other work environments.[1]
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.
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[edit] Whiteboard history
Modern whiteboards evolved from chalkboards.
In the mid 1970s, the first whiteboards (also called markerboards) began to appear on the market. In classrooms, their widespread adoption didn’t happen until the late 1980s and early 1990s when concern over allergies and other potential health risks posed by chalk dust prompted the replacement of many blackboards with whiteboards.[citation needed] A whiteboard, otherwise known as a dry-erase board, uses special pens to make colored marks.
The first whiteboards were very expensive and were made of a melamine 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.[citation needed] Inventor Michael Boone of the United States, was the first to successfully mass-market the "Boone Board" brand dry-erase board.[citation needed]
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. Steel whiteboards are much more durable.
[edit] Surface Materials
There are three types of materials commonly used for whiteboard surfaces:
- Melamine: Melamine is a resin-impregnated paper which is typically used over a pressboard substrate. This type of whiteboard writing surface is the least expensive and therefore is sold in many office supply stores. A melamine whiteboard surface can be easily scratched and will show some staining as the whiteboard ages and over time it will become less and less erasable, usually within a few months. Permanent markers are permanent on this surface.
- Painted steel or aluminum: This surface consists of paint sprayed on a steel or aluminum surface. This type lasts longer than a melamine whiteboard surface. Painted surfaces tend to be smoother, which leads to better erasability. Paint is porous and over time will show some staining from the use of markers. It is also susceptible to scratching. Painted steel surfaces allow the use of magnets. Painted aluminum surfaces do not. Permanent markers are permanent on this surface. This type of writing surface is often sold aftermarket for offices.
- Hardcoat laminate: This type of surface is nonporous and highly resistant to staining. Hardcoat laminate surfaces are less common than other whiteboard surfaces, because they were developed within the last decade. Most hardcoat laminate whiteboards have a lifetime surface warranty against surface staining, because this type of surface does not absorb dry erase or permanent marker ink. Depending on the manufacturer, the surface may or may not be magnetic. This type of surface can be susceptible to scratching, and is used most often in high usage environments such as classrooms.
- Porcelain, enamel-on-steel: These surfaces are ceramic (glass) which is fired onto a steel surface in a kiln. They are the most durable surfaces. The surface is highly scratch resistant, although materials harder than glass (like diamond) can scratch it. Because there are so many different recipies for porcelain, erasability varies on this material. Porcelain surfaces allow the use of magnets. Since it is glass, the porcelain surface can be cleaned with any non-abrasive cleaner, although water should be used following the cleaning to remove cleaner residue or smearing can result. Permanent marker can sometimes be removed by writing over it with a dry-erase marker and erasing it. Some porcelain surfaces are environmentally certified.
[edit] Advantages
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- 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. 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
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, depending of the surface type (see Surface Materials above). 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.[citation needed] 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. Chalk also creates markings of equal intensity throughout its lifetime whereas whiteboard markers begin to fade in intensity almost immediately after first use (when the marker becomes too faint to read it is considered dead).
Finally, whiteboard markers often have a pungent odor (depending on brand and color) whereas chalk is odorless.
[edit] See also
- Interactive whiteboard
- Magiboards—One of the oldest manufacturers of whiteboards
[edit] References
- ^ "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 2006-12-12.
