Whiteboards are one of the most essential objects in the classroom. Despite the use of technology, whiteboards still play an important role in the presentation, delivery, and facilitation of lessons in all grade levels. Teachers write lessons; show concepts; stick on props and pictures, and ask students to solve and answer questions on a whiteboard. You can also write announcements and quick reminders for your students on it.
Whiteboards make an excellent replacement for the traditional green chalkboard. It gives a smooth, neat area for writing. It is easy to clean, and since whiteboards are mostly magnetic, you can conveniently stick props on it using magnetic buttons.
Whether you are teaching in the classroom or teaching online, whiteboards are important tools for teaching. They come in different qualities, styles, and sizes.
Best Whiteboards for Teachers
1. Mobile Magnetic Dry Erase Board
Enhance interactive learning with this dynamic whiteboard. Its dual-sided design provides double the writing space while its magnetic capabilities allow for easy attachment of any notes or illustrations- whether they be yours or your kiddos’. With an adjustable height feature and smooth-rolling wheels, it’s a breeze to transport and use in various settings!
2. Quartet Glass Whiteboard
The Quartet Glass Whiteboard is one that will give your classroom or office a classy and sophisticated look. It has a 48 x 36 inches full opaque writing surface which is made from premium, durable, tempered glass that resists scratches, and stains from pens. It is reinforced with magnetic steel back allowing you to easily hang instructional posters using magnets.
Not only is this fully opaque board visually stunning, but it also doesn’t cause the student’s eye strains from an entire day of class. It also makes a great projector screen so you won’t need to install a separate screen for your multimedia clips presentations. Its additional feature includes a removable accessory tray and two high-powered board magnets. It comes in four glass color options.
The Quartet Glass Whiteboard is a tad expensive being sold at a little over two hundred dollars, but given the fact that it boasts of its long-term performance and it comes with a limited fifteen-year warranty, this dry erase board is ideal for heavy use in school.
3. Quartet Grey DuraMax Porcelain
Stay organized and on top of your game with this next whiteboard. Specifically designed for busy classrooms, this board efficiently tracks personnel to help you foster better communication. With space for 15 names and a robust black aluminum frame, it delivers on both the durability and style front. The DuraMax Porcelain feature ensures that your board will remain pristine- even with frequent use.
4. Viz-Pro Magnetic Dry Erase Board
Elevate your lessons that much more with VIZ-PRO’s expansive 60 X 36-inch whiteboard. Its magnetic surface is sure to expand your teaching possibilities, whilst the foldable feature helps you ensure compact storage. Encased in a sleek silver aluminum frame, it doesn’t just function brilliantly but also adds a modern touch to any classroom setting.
5. Comix Mobile Whiteboard
Step up your teaching game with Comix’s all-inclusive whiteboard solution. Its magnetic surface is perfect for visual aids, and the stand will help you remain flexible in the positioning department. What sets this board apart is the accompanying eraser, dry-erase markers, and magnets—giving you everything you need for an engaging lesson in one package!
6. VIZ-PRO Magnetic Portable Easel Dry Erase Board
Looking for the perfect blend of portability and functionality? This easel-style whiteboard delivers just that and is perfect for both seated and standing presentations. The tripod stand ensures stability, and its 24″W x 36″L size offers ample writing space. Magnetic capabilities further enhance its utility, making it a versatile choice if you’re an educator on the move.
7. Scribbledo Dry Erase Lap Board
The Scribbledo dry erase whiteboard is the best choice for teachers and students looking for a personal whiteboard. You can use this light and sturdy dry erase whiteboard for multiple purposes. It is easy to maneuver teaching aid for online teachers. You can quickly write and wipe on it or use it as a flashboard during your classes.
Scribbledo offers it in a pack of 6. This board is also best for students. It is a splendid tool for spelling drills, math works, penmanship exercises, and classroom games. It helps the teachers and students save money and paper usually used in mastery drills. Designed with round corners and thick durable boards that offer a smooth writing surface, this 9 x 12 inches board is comfortable to use for both classroom and online teaching.
The Scribbledo mobile dry erase board also serves as a splendid note and reminder board in the faculty room. With a retail price of a little more than twenty dollars, this board offers great value for your money and a fun teaching and learning session.
8. Tankee Table Top Whiteboard
The Tankee Table top magnetic whiteboard is a very sturdy but low-cost personal board, great for both teachers and students. You can also easily write on and wipe clean its smooth coated surface.
The key feature of this whiteboard is it stands up securely on any table. Its aluminum stand can expand to different angles, giving the board solid support. It is foldable, and it comes with a handle so you can effortlessly carry it around with you.
This is a spectacular whiteboard choice for teachers who are always on the go and a remarkable personal board for students to use for practice activities, especially in solving mathematical equations in class.The Tankee tabletop whiteboard is a versatile and all-around good whiteboard to have.
9. U Brands Contempo Magnetic Dry Erase Board
If you prefer a neat and sleek personal board to use in teaching online or instructing a few students in the classroom, the U Brands Contempo magnetic dry erase board is a perfect option. It has a smooth surface that resists ink staining and requires minimal cleaning. It includes a dry erase marker with a built-in eraser. The board is equipped with a pen holder at its side, allowing you to bring both whiteboard and pen anywhere. This whiteboard is best for team sports coaches. You can comfortably write your game plan on this easy-to-use whiteboard.
With its magnetic surface, you can also use this whiteboard as a bulletin or memo board. What’s even better about this whiteboard is its hassle-free and effortless mounting. It has double-sided hook and loop fastener mounting strips that enable you to put it on almost any flat surface.
With a small size of 11 x 14, this whiteboard is best for small groups and team discussions. For less than ten dollars, the U brands Contempo Magnetic Dry Erase Board is a must-have.
10. Navy Penguin Whiteboard Set
If you are looking for a highly durable and top quality durable whiteboard set, Navy Penguin is the best choice. It has a resin painted 18 x 24 inches steel surface that allows for easy writing and erasing and a heavy-duty aluminum frame.
This whiteboard comes with a set of two marker pens, a magnetic eraser, and two board magnets. It is a splendid personal whiteboard for teaching and learning. It also makes an excellent scoreboard for classroom and online games. This whiteboard has two movable triangular metal hooks along its side, allowing for convenience in hanging and adjusting the hanging distance.
For first time use, note that the board’s surface is coated with a plastic protective cover. You can effortlessly remove it by gently running a razor blade along the sides. Navy Penguin boasts of a lifetime replacement guarantee, so you can be confident that this whiteboard will really last long.
11. Quartet Magnetic Whiteboard
A less expensive, beautifully framed, medium-sized board option from Quartet is its framed magnetic whiteboard. This 24 x 36 inches whiteboard makes a great demo tool for teachers who have online classes or recording tutorials.
The board has a suitable surface that gives clear markings and dry erase property for cleaning comfort. You can mount it easily on any flat surface in landscape or portrait orientation, allowing you ease and convenience in your teaching. With a cardboard backing, this whiteboard is most appropriate for light uses only. With its beautiful wood finish frame, this whiteboard makes a stunning bulletin board for the classroom and a good memo board in the office. Quartet even gives you three elegant frame colors to choose from.
Retailed at an affordable price, the Quartet Magnetic Whiteboard is a good purchase for any teacher.
What to Consider Before Buying a Whiteboard
Size
When it comes to the perfect whiteboard size, you need to think about the purpose for which you will be using the whiteboard. If it is for lectures and general classroom use or if you have a big class, you would need something large so you can write and put many things on it. A 48″ X 36″ would be a perfect option.
If it is for individual student use or personal use, you’d want to get something light and mobile like a lap board. Choosing something easy to carry like a 9″ x 12″ or a 12″ x 16″ whiteboard would be the right option.
Design
Your needs play a significant role in the style of a whiteboard to choose from. There are whiteboards specifically designed to be mounted on a wall. These are usually large boards for classroom and office use. There are also self-standing whiteboard models if you need the kind that is mobile and can easily be brought from one room to another. There are also small lap boards best for quick presentations, group works, and personal use. Whatever the design of the whiteboard may be, it is necessary to choose a magnetic whiteboard with a tray provision to keep your markers and eraser organized.
Price
Excellent quality magnetic dry erase boards are priced at around 15 to a little over 200 dollars depending on size and quality. The cheaper ones are usually non-magnetic. It is best to opt for something versatile and could provide you with a wide range of benefits.
Conclusion
We’ve compared the best whiteboards for actual classroom and online teaching. All the whiteboards on the list offer good and durable qualities, various sizes and styles for your needs, and different price points. The perfect whiteboard for you would heavily depend on the class subject, the number of students, their grade level, and the environment where you teach. Preschool and elementary school teachers may seem to need a more portable whiteboard. But having both a large, wall-mounted whiteboard in the classroom and a portable personal whiteboard that can be used for quick demonstrations are essential for every teacher.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you remove permanent marker from a whiteboard?
Accidentally using permanent markers instead of dry erase markers are unavoidable. There are a few ways to effectively remove permanent marks. You can write over the top of the permanent marks using a dry erase marker. Wait for the new marks to dry and erase it. It will also remove permanent marks. Using a small portion of rubbing alcohol will also do the trick. Just make sure to wipe the whiteboard a second time using water. Leaving the alcohol residue may erode the coating of your whiteboard.
How to properly maintain a whiteboard?
For it to be effective in delivering the information that teachers want to convey, it must always stay at excellent quality. Its surface needs to always have that clean white slate ready for any new thing that could be written or drawn on it. A worn out board with many unerased marker stains can distract students, affecting the quality of their learning. Hence, it is important to always keep the whiteboard at its best quality, even when it is no longer new.
Here are some tips on how you could keep your whiteboard’s quality good as new:
1. Use Good Quality Markers
Good quality markers dry faster than their lower quality and cheaper competitors. When you need to erase and quickly replace a mark on the board during a lecture, you’d want your marker to dry fast to avoid ink smudging as you erase the marks. Erasing while the ink on the board is still wet can cause ghosting – this is when stains and stray marks are left behind on the board’s surface, making the marks on the whiteboard difficult to read. If you are not sure about how fast the marker pen, you are currently using dries, use the five-second rule before erasing any marks on the whiteboard.
It is always best to use the marker pen recommended by your whiteboard’s brand. In this way, you can be sure that stains and ghosting are generally avoided.
2. Replace Old Erasers
Erasers build up pigments over time. Instead of properly removing marks from the whiteboard, old erasers leave pigments on it instead, causing the whiteboard to stain. Regularly replacing erasers would keep your whiteboard neat and new-looking.
Using a clean microfiber or mitt cloth can also leave your whiteboard spotless. Just make sure that you regularly wash it.
3. Regularly Clean With a Whiteboard Cleaner
Sometimes, water is not enough to remove stains and ghostings on your whiteboard. Be conscious also of using harsh cleaning products as it can react to the surface coating and compromise the quality of your board’s surface. With reduced resistance to stains, ghosting will most likely happen. To avoid this, it is best to use approved whiteboard cleaners. You can use this to clean the board at least once a week.
Is a whiteboard better than a chalkboard?
Chalkboards and whiteboards are both essential materials to use in your teaching. Though they function in the same way, each has its own pros and cons. If you are a teacher or a school administrator still confused about whether to use a blackboard or whiteboard in your classroom, this article might help you.
Chalkboards and chalk are without a doubt cheaper and more economical compared to whiteboards. There are also claims that diagrams and illustrations can be drawn in a more in-depth manner when done on the chalkboard. Using chalk allows for different shades and tones of an illustration, making the image look more alive compared to a flat illustration one can make on a whiteboard. However, with technology nowadays, showing videos and projected images are more likely to catch students’ attention and make them learn and remember better.
The biggest drawback of chalkboards is the chalk dust. According to a study conducted by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, one out of twelve school children has asthma or some form of respiratory allergy. Chalkdust is considered particulates and when inhaled, it can trigger respiratory allergies not only in children but also in adults. This is a major factor to consider when choosing the board to use in classrooms. However, there are people who don’t like the powerful odor that comes from dry erase markers. Fortunately, there are already odorless markers available in the market to address this concern.
Both chalkboards and whiteboards have similar uses in teaching; however, using a whiteboard, though more expensive, is preferable than using the traditional chalkboard, especially that teachers always need to consider the health and welfare of the students.