Whiteboards vs. Blackboards: What's the Difference?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the preferences and experiences of participants regarding the use of whiteboards versus blackboards in academic and personal settings. It touches on aspects of usability, practicality, and personal preference, without reaching a consensus on which is superior.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a preference for blackboards, citing their ability to help focus ideas and perform better in exams.
  • Others prefer whiteboards, noting their convenience and the absence of chalk dust, although some still appreciate the traditional blackboard for its association with academia.
  • Concerns about the cost of blackboards compared to whiteboards are mentioned, along with the ongoing debate about the practicality of each option.
  • Participants discuss the experience of taking exams on blackboards, with some sharing personal anecdotes about the pressure of being observed while solving problems.
  • There is mention of dust-free chalk, with mixed opinions on its effectiveness and the mess associated with traditional chalk.
  • Some participants inquire about the types of whiteboards, distinguishing between traditional dry erase boards and electronic smartboards.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express differing opinions on the merits of whiteboards versus blackboards, with no clear consensus emerging. Preferences vary widely based on personal experiences and contexts.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect personal preferences and experiences that may not be universally applicable. The discussion includes subjective assessments of usability and comfort, which could depend on individual circumstances.

Monster92
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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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