Projector vs Interactive Whiteboard for Education: A Factual Comparison
As technology advances, the traditional way of teaching in classrooms is becoming obsolete, and educational institutions are embracing new ways of teaching to enhance the learning experience of students. Two of the most popular technological tools for educational purposes are projectors and interactive whiteboards. Despite serving the same purpose, there are differences between the two.
In this article, we are going to look at the features of the projector and interactive whiteboard, and provide a factual and unbiased comparison of the two for educational purposes.
Projectors
Projectors are a common technological tool used in classrooms. They are popular for displaying presentations, images and videos on a large screen that can be viewed by a whole class.
Pros:
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Projectors are cheap compared to interactive whiteboards. Depending on the type of projector, prices can range from $200 to $1000.
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They are portable and easy to install.
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Projectors can display images and videos of various sizes depending on the distance between the projector and the screen.
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Can be mounted on the ceiling to save space in the classroom.
Cons:
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Projectors need to be used in a dark room since they do not produce sufficient brightness in a room with light.
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The resolution of a projector decreases as the screen size increases. For instance, if you display an image or a video on a large screen, it will appear blurred.
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Projectors need frequent maintenance to ensure that they perform optimally. It’s important to change the projector bulbs after 2000 hours of use.
Interactive Whiteboards
Interactive whiteboards are another popular technological tool used in classrooms. They are becoming increasingly popular because of the interactive nature of education they provide.
Pros:
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Interactive whiteboards offer a hands-on approach that allows students and teachers to collaborate easily.
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They have better resolution than projectors, making it easier to display high-quality images and videos on the board.
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Interactive whiteboards have in-built multimedia applications that make it easy for teachers to play videos, music and display images without using additional hardware.
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Interactive whiteboards use touch technology that makes learning interactive and engaging.
Cons:
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Interactive whiteboards are expensive. The cost of an interactive whiteboard can be as high as $5000.
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Interactive whiteboards are not portable and require professional installation.
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They are not compatible with all software, and some software may require additional hardware.
Which is Better for Education?
There's no definitive answer to this question since both tools have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on individual preferences and budget.
If cost is a concern and you want something that's portable and easy to install, then a projector would be a good option. On the other hand, if you want an interactive and engaging classroom experience, then an interactive whiteboard would be a viable option.
At the end of the day, the choice depends on the needs and the goals of the educational institutions.