What to Look for in Dry Erase Boards
You may think dry erase boards are a fairly straightforward subject, but there is a tremendous array of options available. The application really dictates which is most appropriate.
While the dry erase board find primary application in business and education, households are also finding models and options that suit their needs, with options that allow for anything from quick notes to erasable graffiti and artwork.
The dry erase board has generally replaced the chalkboard as the standard medium for writing and displaying information to a large group. Millions of users have come to see the value in whiteboards to understand the value of whiteboards}. With the low level of mess, the broad color options in the pens, and creative options that these features open up, users are finding the benefits worth the cost.
Prices have actual decreased considerable in recent years as demand has risen and manufacturers have increased production to meet that demand.
Many believe dry erase boards are made of the same stuff, but that is simply not true. Sure, it looks the same, but the materials used impact the performance considerably. The more durable the board is, and the better the material quality, the higher the price. High-quality boards, however, will last for the life of a buidling (even under heavy use) and not need to be replaced. These heavy-duty boards are typically made of stainless steel and have a porcelain surface covered over with a thick laminate. For safe use, they require firm, permanent mounting just like old-stlye chalkboards.
On the other extreme, less expensive dry erase boards are made from a variety of much less expensive, though less durable materials. Base materials include wood, cardboard, Masonite, particleboard, and stainless steel. Sometimes these are offered in color options from plain white to pretty much any color you in the rainbow. Some boards are very simple, only providing a thin sheet of steel with a light coat of lamination. Boards that are smaller often take on these variations because the market usually calls for more variety and personalization. Because household users probably won’t be presenting information to a large crowd of people, the optics and contrast aren’t as essential of concerns.
Whiteboards with a steel base or frame have the added advantage of being magnetic, allowing for easy placement of additional visual aids to augment whatever’s being presented on the board.
The electronic dry erase board is the pinnacle of technology for presentation. There are a few different companies that manufacture such boards, Panasonic being on of them. There are many different types of boards that can dramatically improve usability compared to the standard dry erase boards. Electronic boards usually allow for instant digital imaging of what’s being written on the board, as well as whatever papers or other materials are stuck to it. By allowing the audience to receive individual prinouts of the material on the board, this can elimate or augment note-taking. This can be extremely useful for complex presentations, allowing students and audience members to fully engage in the presentation as it takes place. Many users find that PowerPoint and other such programs as being far too sterile for certain subjects. Electronic whiteboards are ideal for presentations that need to be digitally recorded, but which benefit from the kinetic energy of ideas being outlined in a visual way.
Whiteboards can even be cutomized to fit a wide variety of uses. An example of an available option is lines printed horizontally across the board. These can be made into lines that are useful in musical instruction, or ruled lines for writing practice. Dry erase presentation boards can even be printed with a grid pattern for architectural, engineering, or mathematical purposes, or geographic maps for educational applications. Pre-printed boards are available which is great for things like athletic applications. These pre-printed lines save time and effort for users in these applications, providing reliably clean lines that do not erase and present the subject clearly.
Weigh your needs with the available options and prices and then choose carefully. The products themselves should be test personally. This provides an good purchase on serious functionality and visibility for groups in any setting.