Long gone is the time when classrooms had wall-mounted blackboards and the teachers and students used chalks to write on them. Today, as technology progresses, we have smooth, glossy and lightweight whiteboards. And the great thing is that you can get models in any dimension. If you're a teacher who works in a smaller classroom, then a mobile whiteboard will be of great use. You can move it around the classroom, rotate it and write things down on both sides and store it away when you no longer need it.
Whiteboard Features
Plastic-coated Whiteboards
Portable whiteboards surface consists of melamine resin coating which is resistant to scratching and pressure. This surface is more vulnerable than others due to the abrasion of the melamine. Some previous marks might not be entirely erased, or there might be some strains left behind. Whiteboards with melamine coating aren't magnetic but are quite affordable and suitable options for occasional use. If you're going to use the board frequently in your classroom, go for a model that has painted steel surface.
Painted Steel Whiteboards
Choose a painted steel whiteboard if you’re looking for a great quality for a reasonable price. These have steel surfaces with a special coating that is smooth and glossy, so every colour marker stands out and can be easily wiped out. The surface is magnetic, so you can easily attach things with magnets. This type of mobile whiteboard is perfect for a long term use.
Enamelled Whiteboards
An enamelled whiteboard is a premium category. The enamel is burned into the surface at 800 degrees Celsius, making a ceramic material bond. The surface is shock, scratch and impact-resistant. Also, the surface is matt, acid-resistant and magnetic. These are perfect for long-term use (frequent and intensive use) and are very easy to clean.
Magnetic Glass Boards
A glass board is made from tempered safety glass and its surface is glossy and magnetic, which has excellent cleaning properties for removing pen or ink. You can write chalk markers or special glass board markers that can easily be removed from the surface with a damp or dry cloth. If you'll attach notes on the board, use very strong neodymium magnets. This type of board is excellent for long-term and invasive use as well.
Interactive Whiteboards
This type of portable whiteboard is a digital board that connects to a computer. Its functions depend on the technology used in every case. You can write notes and sketches on it with the use of a special pen that has a touchscreen function. You can also remove anything you have written by using the delete function (and it will be done much faster than actually having to wipe things off). Although this type of board seems like the ideal option (and it is) it's the most expensive one. It's excellent for long-term and invasive use and allows flexible working. You can save board images and you can use them for video conferences.
Get the Right Size of Whiteboard
The size of the whiteboard should meet your needs. Consider how many students you have and how big the classroom is. If the classroom isn't on the big side, then a too big whiteboard might take all the space and limit your movements. Larger boards however are better for writing, drawing, sticking notes, and so on.
Smaller whiteboards are often used as memory aids where you can write down tasks or put notes. Their dimensions are about 40x30cm to 90x30cm.
Medium size boards' dimensions range from 120x90cm to 180x120 cm. The largest ones are fold-out boards that are often choices for schools and universities and their size ranges from 180x120cm to 240x120cm.
How to Clean the Whiteboard
Cleaning is something you will frequently do with your whiteboard. To make sure you're doing the right thing and to prolong the life of your whiteboard, use a dry cloth. Also, it's best to use only whiteboard markers; they contain a liquid that dries fast and makes a wipable film.
You can also find special erasers to clean the surface. Make sure to clean the surface periodically to avoid ghosting, a dull grey look and ink stains.
Why Choose a Whiteboard
Perfect for Learning, Drawing and Brainstorming
Instead of just speaking things, write them down on the whiteboard. Kids learn better when they have something to visualize. You can also put notes or drawings with magnets and your students can get to draw or write on it (and we all know how kids love to do this). Also, it's a wonderful idea to write down brainstorm ideas (encourage the students to write or draw their ideas on the board).
Ideal for Smaller Classrooms
The mobile whiteboard is a perfect choice for smaller classrooms. You can always put it away when you don't use it. Moving it around the classroom will be far easier, than having a board that is fixed on the wall. These boards can also be rotated 360 degrees, allowing you two surfaces so you can write or draw more things without wiping the board constantly.
