Whiteboards vs. Blackboards: What's the Difference?

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The discussion revolves around the preference between blackboards and whiteboards for writing and studying. Many participants express a nostalgic fondness for blackboards, citing their effectiveness in focusing ideas and performing better during exams. However, others prefer whiteboards for their convenience and lack of dust, despite acknowledging the higher cost of markers compared to chalk. Some users mention the association of blackboards with academia, particularly in math and science, while others highlight the tactile discomfort of chalk. Ultimately, the conversation reflects a divide in preferences, with both boards having their unique advantages and disadvantages.
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Just wondering how many people actually have a large white board that they use on a regular basis. Whenever I see a physics doc I always see famous scientists doing equations on blackboards. Blackboards are out dated, correct?
 
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Aaah, I love blackboards! Nothing is better to focus your ideas than writing them on a blackboard and explaining them to yourself! (maybe even out loud if nobody is listening).

Sadly, I only have a whiteboard in my office. Somehow, I like that less...
 
I like blackboards as well. They're a lot more expensive if I'm not mistaken.

There's pros and cons to each. I surely wouldn't want a blackboard in my room considering the dust, but at the same time chalk never dries out and you don't have to go out and get ripped off on markers. There's a lot more pros and cons but I'm too lazy to write them out.
 
You do have dustfree chalk nowadays...

Somehow I always performed better in exams on a blackboard than in exams on paper. Not sure why that is...
 
micromass said:
You do have dustfree chalk nowadays...

Somehow I always performed better in exams on a blackboard than in exams on paper. Not sure why that is...

How do you do an exam on a blackboard? :confused:
 
fish use penguins :biggrin:

(in exams: only on one side)
 
I spray painted a wall in the garage with black board paint, used to use it but it gotpainted over last year
 
I love whiteboards.
 
pdffile said:
Just wondering how many people actually have a large white board that they use on a regular basis. Whenever I see a physics doc I always see famous scientists doing equations on blackboards. Blackboards are out dated, correct?
I wish :wink: A lot of people still like blackboards. I'm not one of them; I much prefer whiteboards. I have a couple in my apartment that I use regularly.

Apparently in the public eye, blackboards are much more associated with academia (specifically: math and hard sciences) than whiteboards are.
 
  • #10
Pengwuino said:
How do you do an exam on a blackboard? :confused:

The prof givves you an exercise that you have to solve on the blackboard while he's staring at what you write... :smile:
 
  • #11
micromass said:
The prof givves you an exercise that you have to solve on the blackboard while he's staring at what you write... :smile:

Talk about one on one attention.
 
  • #12
I have a rather small whiteboard at my computer desk, but I often use the whiteboard in the physics lounge at my school. I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE blackboards, though. If I were forced to use a blackboard on a daily basis, I'd have to buy gloves. I can't stand how chalk feels on my fingers.
 
  • #13
micromass said:
The prof givves you an exercise that you have to solve on the blackboard while he's staring at what you write... :smile:

This isn't for undergrad exams, is it? I know that someone I work with took his quals in grad school like this. What type of exam was it for you?
 
  • #14
DR13 said:
This isn't for undergrad exams, is it? I know that someone I work with took his quals in grad school like this. What type of exam was it for you?

This was at so at most undergrad exams. I took topology, analysis, abstract algebra,... like this. You get used to it in the end...
 
  • #15
pdffile said:
Just wondering how many people actually have a large white board that they use on a regular basis. Whenever I see a physics doc I always see famous scientists doing equations on blackboards. Blackboards are out dated, correct?


By whiteboard do you mean an electronic one--a "Smartboard?" Or a dry erase? I've had all three type: black, white, smart. But I prefer an overhead projector often times. The smartboard is nice for graphing and showing videos that you can write on though.



micromass said:
You do have dustfree chalk nowadays...

:rolleyes: Dust free my @$$--it STILL gets everywhere! I don't care what the package says. I buy dust free all of the time, and still always end up wearing it.
 
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