If you are only using your dry erase board like a chalkboard, then you and your students are missing out on some excellent enhancements that could spur better learning. First and foremost, you should make maximum use of color. Dry erase boards are also a lot more inviting for student use. And, if needed, these versatile pieces of education equipment can double as a projector screen.
Using color when you teach can really make your lectures come alive. Rather than presenting students with a wall of monochrome text, you can use different colored white board markers to highly key points, to define different sections and to create clearer charts and graphs. You can find a wide variety of markers available, ranging from bold splashes of color to muted pastels. I’ve also noticed that a lot of these colors erase more easily from the board, so ghosting is less of a problem.
You will probably find that students are much more willing to come to the board when you are using a dry erase board. The dreaded trip to the chalkboard to work a problem becomes more attractive you your young scholars when they can add their own contribution to the multicolored notes already displayed. Plus, you don’t have to worry about allergic reactions, broken chalk or smeared letters that were often associated with chalkboards.
Today’s educators are constantly being asked to do more with less. When faced with shrinking budgets, teachers may have to make hard choices about the equipment they can afford for their classroom. Fortunately, a dry erase board can do double duty in the front of the room, acting as both a way to present notes and as a screen for a projector. There are times when projectors are an essential part of the lecture, providing a way for students to view computer output, video clips or photos. The smooth, white and highly reflective surface of the white board makes a perfect substitute for a projector screen. And unlike a regular screen, you can use markers to highlight portions of the projected image.
To sum up, a high quality dry erase board is essential for today’s educators. They offer the opportunity to clarify points with color, they encourage student participation, and they can also be used in place of a costly projector screen.
