Lisa Dick
How many of us have thought I’m Broke…BUT I need ______ for my room? Today is part one of the four part SERIES I’m Broke…Techie My Room on a Budget. If you have wanted an Interactive White Board, but just haven’t found the budget for one then today is your lucky day!
There are several options, so bare with me this is going to get long:) I just want to make sure you can find the perfect fit for you and your students! Ok, let’s get started:)
All of the options included in this post assume that you have a projector and computer. Before we get started let’s review software options. I am only including those which have a free or close to free option.
- Open Sankore is a free open-source interactive digital teaching software
- Promethean Planet is Promethean’s interactive whiteboard community. Here you can register for free and download their software. The personal version is free. You can read the breakdown of differences here.
- Numerous online whiteboard options
- Web Whiteboard
- Sketchlot
- Stoodle
- Big Blue Button
- Google Draw using Scribble line to write
- and more
OPTION 1 – App
You can purchase a VGA to ____ adapter such as this apple dock to vga for $10 – 30 and connect your tablet directly to your projector. There are numerous interactive whiteboard apps such as
- Whiteboard Collaborative Draw
- Educreations Interactive Whiteboard
- Doceri Interactive Whiteboard
OPTION 2 – Reflector
You can reflect your computer onto an android or apple device such as your phone or tablet. Once reflected your interactive white board is in the palm of your hand. Any software on your computer is now accessible via your phone/tablet and you as well as your students can interact with it. You can also display/interact with tablet apps without being tied to a projector. Reflector is only $14.99.
OPTION 3 – $55 Interactive Whiteboard
Ok, this one includes a wii remote and infrared pen. You can get step-by-step directions at Stretch Your Digital Dollar
Option 4 – $149-$169 Interactive Whiteboard
iPevo is a company that was built on the belief classroom technology should allow educators to do more with less. They offer two interactive whiteboards which you can use with your existing software OR use the INCLUDED (yes, like “included for free”) iPevo Annotator Software! $149 version $169 version (wireless)
Are you ready to jump right in? There are several more options, but I’m guessing your head is already spinning…so, let’s end here and I’ll leave you with the Techie Tip Link with two more options.
Why do you like an interactive whiteboard in your classroom? How does it aid in your instruction?
I love this series and adore Promethean’s Whiteboard software too. It is a “must have” on all of my computers. It can do so much more than just function as a surface on which to write…from image capture to videoing this is my go to tool.
Thanks, Cindy:) I agree the software is fabulous! Sometimes educators can get stuck on having to have the board and don’t realize though they are awesome (especially those new panels) the real PRIZE is the software and online community.