My Interactive Whiteboard vs. SMART Board: What's the Difference?
1/14/2023
Written By Eva Wen On 14th January 2023
Your team is brainstorming on how to present complex information. Ideas whiz by so quickly that it’s difficult for anyone to contribute meaningfully. And, when one idea is suggested, other users get impatient waiting for the next person to speak. YOUTH ISSUE: Time is of the essence here at your organization. Ideas need to be vetted ASAP and the faster you can do this, the better. Creating visuals that support ideas quickly and easily is KEY. But, how can you do this efficiently when team members aren’t always in the same room? Your challenge today is how to encourage collaborative thinking and engagement among your team members with minimal overhead and as little disruption as possible from working remotely — especially at key times throughout the day (i.e., lunchtime, after-work happy hours, etc.).
What is an Interactive Whiteboard?
An interactive whiteboard, also commonly referred to as a blackboard, is a wireless, interactive surface that enables two-way communication between the people (and/or computers) on the inside and those on the outside. Some examples of applications for an interactive whiteboard include decorating walls, creating online presentations, and tracking team progress. Unlike other boards that are stationary, interactive whiteboards are wireless and movable, allowing people to change the surface, write on both sides, and erase and re-do drawings. Due to the wireless nature of interactive whiteboards, they eliminate a major source of static in offices, as they can be placed anywhere in the room without the need for heavy and expensive cabling.
What is a SMART Board?
SMART boards are a type of interactive whiteboard that integrates computer technology and digital media with a standard whiteboard surface. SMART boards allow users to input digital content and see that data immediately on the surface in front of them, as opposed to typing or drawing on a computer. In order to enter digital content on a SMART board, users will need to connect a computer to the board, which then allows the computer to be used as a “drawing tablet” for creating content. Some examples of applications for a SMART board include online collaboration, online training, online assessments, online simulations, online virtual worlds, online simulations, online project management, and online visualization applications.
The Importance of Collaboration in the Workplace
Collaboration is key to the modern workplace. It’s how you solve problems and achieve your goals. There’s no point in gathering everyone in one place to interact and share ideas if you don’t then communicate those ideas with others and choose which ones to pursue. The ability to gather and communicate across teams makes all the difference when it comes to accomplishing any given goal. From brainstorming new business ideas to prioritizing projects, these types of discussions are essential in any organization. But, when you’re remote, collaboration can be difficult. Remote team members often feel excluded from the conversation, even when they’re actively participating. And, when an idea or project is being discussed, remote team members have a hard time getting the full story because they’re removed from the core team experience.
SMART board features you’ll love
Real-time collaboration: In this day and age, the ability to collaborate with others is crucial to accomplishing any given goal. It’s even more important when you’re working remotely. There might be times when you’re remote, but other remote team members are all in the same room. But, you’re not. So, how do you maximize collaboration? In this day and age, the ability to collaborate with others is crucial to accomplishing any given goal. It’s even more important when you’re working remotely. There might be times when you’re remote, but other remote team members are all in the same room. But, you’re not. So, how do you maximize collaboration? Access from multiple locations: With a whiteboard, you can create content wherever you have a stable internet connection. This can be at home, the office, or even outdoors. With a whiteboard, you can create content wherever you have a stable internet connection. This can be at home, the office, or even outdoors. Real-time diagrams: Diagramming is an important communication tool that can be difficult to share and understand when done manually. With a whiteboard, diagrams can be created in real time and shared with others.
Which board will be best for your team?
Each organization’s unique needs and preferences will determine which boards are best for your team. However, there are some features that are common across most boards and might be useful for your team: Familiarity: Teams that need to transition to using a new board will appreciate one that is familiar to them. Having a board that has been used in the organization for some time will likely ease the transition. Teams that need to transition to using a new board will appreciate one that is familiar to them. Having a board that has been used in the organization for some time will likely ease the transition. Support: In order to maximize collaboration, a team will need to ensure that all remote team members have access to the board and can participate. A cloud-based solution will help with this. In order to maximize collaboration, a team will need to ensure that all remote team members have access to the board and can participate. A cloud-based solution will help with this. Accessibility: A board’s accessibility will determine whether the board can be used by individuals with disabilities.
Conclusion
Interactive whiteboards are a powerful tool for getting your team to collaborate and innovate. And, they’re also a great option for teams that need to be remote. However, certain features like real-time collaboration and real-time diagrams are only available with certain boards. Now that you know the difference between an interactive whiteboard and a SMART board, you can select the right board for your team.
Eva Wen
Eva Wen is the Digital Marketing Executive at CY Digital Signage.