The arguments that rage over the choice of which interactive whiteboard to use in class are increasingly heated and partisan. I know of one head teacher who sold one set of boards in order to change to a rival board, and she had very convincing reasons for doing so. Recently, I have listened to people argue that the ability to write with your finger is crucial, especially for children with co-ordination problems who find using a mouse difficult. Others argue that using a pen gives greater precision. The main contenders are Smart Board, distributed by a number of companies, and TDS boards, also with a number of outlets. It is a difficult choice but you have to make it if you want to use one of the most interesting and motivating technologies.

Beguiling though the boards are, it would be a mistake to think that your troubles are over. They can be misused, and over-used. What are you going to run on them? How do you keep a balance between didactic teaching and autonomous learning?

Plasma screens

For the future you might consider a plasma screen. The image quality is superb under all light conditions (ordinary whiteboards require projectors). They can be used to display computer screen output, videos and DVD films. The disadvantages are that you are restricted to the size of the screen. They are 42-inch diagonal or 50-inch diagonal - 60-inch screens will be on the market in the near future. When the price is considered it has to be remembered that a plasma screen is the equivalent of the projector and screen and they do not need bulbs. They need an additional overlay to create the interactivity. Basic prices are in the region of pound;4,000.

Plasma Screens from RM

BETT stands: D50 amp; E50

www.rm.com

Promethean boards

Promethean concentrates on education and understands the environments that its Activboards will work in. It also sells Activstudio, Activslate, ActivPrepPad and Activote. Promethean goes beyond a general presentation aid and produces a group teaching system. Activslate enables pads to be distributed around the class so that the students can interact with the main board. Activote aims to involve pupils and can be passed around the class. Training in the use of the board and the software can be arranged. You have to use a pen with this board and the software that is included is probably the most sophisticated. Prices start at pound;1,650.

Promethean

BETTstand: V60

www.promethean.co.uk

Hitachi Starboard

The Hitachi Starboard is a standard electromagnetic board with the software necessary to run it. Like the Promethean it can be run as an ordinary whiteboard, as a projection screen or connected to a PC. Automatic text recognition (OCR) allows the conversion of handwriting into characters so that you can integrate them with your files. They have just developed some software for primary schools. Prices run from pound;1,650.

Hitachi Starboard from the Interactive Whiteboard Company

BETT stands: Q40 amp; Q43

www.iwb.co.uk

Smart Boards

BulletPoint Presentations supply Smart Boards into education. These boards have a membrane that acts as a sensor. You can even use your finger or one of the inexpensive pens. The boards come in three sizes and prices start at pound;865 for the 47-inch board. The software is fairly simple to use and Bullet has developed some software for primary schools to use with the boards.

Bullet Point Presentations

BETT stand: A60

www.interactivewhiteboards.co.ukhtmlEdsmart.htm

Time Education

TDS manufactures for Promethean and also produces the Time board (Activboard). The surface of the board can be used as a conventional whiteboard with a marker pen. The electronic pen enables the user to annotate and move through a presentation. Prices for whiteboards range from pound;1,289 to pound;1,867.

Time Education

BETT stand: C60

www.timeeducation.com.co.uk Mimio

Smaller, lighter, more portable and cheaper, the Mimio is not as versatile as large boards, but enables users to capture notes written on a whiteboard.

Mimio from RM

BETT stands: D50 amp; E50

Email:salesdesk@rm.com

www.mimio.comdemovideo_qt.html

Others to consider

Matrix Display Systems

BETTstand:H50

www.matrixdisplay.comoverview.htm

Classroom Displays (part of Reflex)

BETT stand: C180

www.classroomdisplays.co.uk

Accurate

BETT stands: D96 amp; H72

www.accurate.plc.ukeducation

Questions to ask

* Where will the board be mounted?

* Are you going to move the board around?

* What is the light level of the rooms that you will be using?

* Will software work with any platform?

* What size of screen is appropriate for a particular room?

* The robustness of a board is a key issue: how do you judge it?

* How much are replacement pens?

* How near to the front of the class can I put the board?

* Is training necessary?

* Is training free?

* Are there upgrades available?

* Are there other products that will extend the usefulness of the board?

* Will children be able to use it with ease?