How to Choose the Right Interactive Digital Board for Schools: Key Factors to Consider

The evolution of smart classrooms over the years has been impressive. Just a decade ago, setting up a smart classroom meant dealing with projectors, screens, keyboards, and a complex range of equipment that made the setup complex to manage and use. As Android technology advanced, the idea of a PC Free smart classroom emerged, making smart class adoption much simpler. A single device, controlled as easily as a TV remote, changed the game. However, the one thing missing was interactivity.
Then came interactive digital boards (IDB) for schools, serving three key purposes:
- Interactive digital boards replaced traditional blackboards with a built-in whiteboarding application. Therefore, some call it an interactive whiteboard. This enables teachers to teach, write, and draw instructions just as they did before, but with the convenience of digital tools.
- IDB allowed teachers to easily use learning platforms and content, enriching the classroom experience.
- Interactive digital boards introduced interactivity, encouraging students to engage with the material through touch-based interactions, which they naturally inclined towards, making learning more joyful and engaging.
As their acceptance in classrooms increased, the market became flooded with brands, making it confusing for buyers to choose the right one.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through the key parameters to consider when selecting an interactive digital board for schools
Screen Size of interactive digital board for your schools
When choosing an interactive digital board for your school, it’s important to consider the size of the classroom to ensure optimal visibility and audibility for all students. IDBs come in various sizes— 65″, 75″, 86″, and 98″—but the 65″ model is often the most preferred for schools. It strikes a balance between affordability and functionality, with a screen large enough for clear text visibility and audio. A 65-inch panel works well for classrooms with 30-40 students. If your class is larger or in a bigger hall, you might want to opt for a 75-inch panel. The availability of different screen sizes makes IDB an ideal choice for enhancing digital learning experiences in schools.
Hardware Specifications of IDB for schools
When selecting an Interactive Digital Board for schools, RAM plays a crucial role in ensuring high performance, speed, and smooth functioning. If you only plan to use the whiteboarding tool and won’t be running many apps or high-definition videos, a device with 4GB RAM will be sufficient. However, if you plan to run digital content, use multimedia, and various learning apps, or want interactive classroom sessions where students engage with the device, opting for an 8GB RAM device will give you better performance, speed, and longevity. 8GB devices are now easily available at affordable prices. While internal memory is not as important, additional content storage can be easily managed with external devices such as a pendrive for Android-based IDBs or an OPS device for Windows-based setups, ensuring your digital board remains flexible and efficient.
Choice of Android OS/Windows OS or both Android OS and Windows
When choosing between Android OS, Windows OS, or a combination of both for interactive digital boards for schools, it’s important to know that most IDBs come equipped with Android by default, with Android version 11 and above. This choice of version is key in decision making because there are many archived versions of android still available. A highly suitable version for the classroom is Android 11 as it meets all the used cases of the classrooms and is cost effective. If you opt for Windows, you would need to attach an additional device or OPS. This will increase your budget by 25-30K depending on which OPS you buy.
Availability of After Sales Service provider for IDB
When selecting a service provider for an interactive digital board for schools, it’s essential to prioritize after-sales support. Many organizations sell affordable options, but the true value lies in having a reliable partner who can ensure continuity in learning in your classrooms. Brands like LG and BenQ stand out for their commitment to a quick turnaround time of 24 to 48 hours, with this you don’t have to deal with manufacturers who believe in buying and moving on after-sale service. To avoid the risk of downtime, it’s crucial to choose a provider that delivers consistently, and who is located closer to you to ensure a turnaround time of 24-48 hours, whenever needed.
Compatibility with learning platform and digital content
It is most likely that, if you are considering buying an interactive digital board for schools, you will use it for smart classroom purposes. Therefore, it is essential to ensure compatibility of the learning platform and digital content you plan to use. While most apps designed for Android should work with interactive digital boards (IDB), not all platforms and content are optimized for every device. To avoid any technical issues, you should thoroughly check if the learning platform and digital content you’ve chosen are fully compatible with the IDB model you’re purchasing. This ensures seamless integration for an effective and engaging smart classroom experience.
Check for Whiteboarding Application on Interactive Digital Boards
When selecting an Interactive Digital Board for schools, ensure that it includes a whiteboarding application. This feature is crucial as it allows teachers to effectively replace traditional blackboards. With the whiteboarding app, teachers can teach, write, draw, and share classroom instructions in real-time, enhancing classroom interaction and making lessons more engaging. It’s a versatile tool that supports a wide range of teaching methods, from simple explanations to interactive learning experiences.
Powerful annotation on IDB
Choose Interactive Digital Board for schools which provides built-in annotation tools that allow teachers to effortlessly draw, highlight, and interact with lesson content in real-time. Equipped with features like figures, shapes, rulers, and more, the digital board saves valuable class time, eliminating the need for repetitive blackboard work. Teachers can easily add pages without erasing previous explanations, creating a seamless teaching experience.
Check for Experience and Customer Feedback Before Buying an IDB
Before purchasing an Interactive Digital Board for schools, it’s essential to verify the company’s experience. Ask how many schools they have equipped and in how many states they’ve set up their solutions. Speak with current customers to understand their brand and service experience firsthand. Additionally, ensure that you do thorough testing of the device and get hands-on experience of teachers with the device, allowing them to test its functionality in real-world classroom scenarios. This practical approach will help ensure that the technology meets your educational needs before finalizing your decision.
Here’s a quick video guide to help you choose the right interactive digital board for teaching
Want to buy an Interactive Digital Board for Schools
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Key Points to Be Cautious About When Choosing Interactive Digital Board Brands
- Be cautious of IFP manufacturers claiming their displays are AI-enabled. Many brands are now using AI as a buzzword to justify higher prices, adding thousands to the cost while advertising “free” AI features. Avoid falling for this gimmick. You should thoroughly check what AI features do they have and whether those features solve any use case for your teachers. Eventually it is all about empowering the teachers and such features will be of no use if they do not make the work of teachers easier and more efficient.
- Many IFP brands claim their devices come preloaded with digital content. Remember, you’re likely purchasing these devices for teachers to use in Smart Classrooms, where the content will be consumed by your students. It is therefore important that this content should align with your way of teaching and should be genuinely of good quality which adds incremental learning value for your students. Make sure to go through the content thoroughly if any manufacturer or brand claims to provide you with the devices pre loaded with content.
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Frequently Asked Questions -
1. What is an Interactive Digital Board (IDB)?
An Interactive Digital Board (IDB) is a touch-enabled display that integrates hardware and software to facilitate collaborative and engaging teaching experiences in schools. It typically combines a high-definition screen, touchscreen capabilities, and advanced features like annotation tools, internet connectivity, and content-sharing options. IDBs are widely used in classrooms and have become most popular option for smart classroom implementation.
2. What are the features of an Interactive digital board?
Key features of an Interactive digital board include: Large high-definition touchscreen display (available in sizes like 65", 75", or 86") Multi-touch support for collaboration and interaction Built-in operating systems (Android or Windows options) Compatibility with multimedia content and teaching tools Pre-installed learning software and tool for annotations, lesson planning, and presentations Portability (for movable boards) and wall-mount options
3. What is the cost of an Interactive digital board?
The cost of an IDB depends on its size, specifications, and additional features. The Entry-Level Models (for basic use): ₹ 50,000 to 1,50,000. These prices can vary depending on the manufacturer, warranty, and installation services.
4. What are the advantages of using an Interactive digital board?
Promotes active participation and engagement Saves time of teachers from teaching through multiple modes Enables interactive and multimedia-rich lessons or sessions Facilitates blended learning Provides a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional teaching methods
5. Can an Interactive digital board (IDB) be customized for educational content?
Yes, an Interactive digital board can be preloaded with educational content aligned with school curriculums, including national and state boards. Platforms such as iPrep LMS can be integrated to provide seamless learning experiences for students. The implementation of interactive digital boards could be for all the classes in school or for specific classes as per the needs.
6. What is the ideal screen size for an Interactive Digital Board (IDB) in a classroom?
The ideal screen size depends on the classroom size and student seating arrangement. For standard classrooms, a screen size between 65 to 86 inches is usually sufficient to ensure visibility for all students, even those seated at the back.
7. Can any learning platform or digital content work with an Interactive Digital Board (IDB)?
Not necessarily. Always check the compatibility of the IDB with your preferred learning platform and digital content. A good IDB should support widely used file formats, educational apps, and LMS platforms such as iPrep or similar.
8. Why is a whiteboarding application essential on an Interactive Digital Board (IDB)?
A whiteboarding application allows teachers to create dynamic and interactive lessons. Features like drawing tools, shapes, and handwriting recognition helps teachers make their lessons visually appealing.