Most engineers will tell you that a PowerPoint presentation’s dazzling effects are matched only by its shallowness.

Chalk-talks are harder to fake, and therefore intellectually more honest.

Recent (3 years ago) quote from local paper on funding for an Active Board (including wiring, installation, and teacher training): 2 for $14800, thus, 1 for $7,400

Since one Active board would cost more than 56 times the Overhead Projector, yes, I say “other people’s money.”

(at office depot, I see a 3M overhead projector for $319.99. Still, for the cost of one active board, one can buy 23 overhead projectors. Each teacher can have his own!)

If the attraction of the white board is to display computer printouts, or screen shots, couldn’t one print onto transparency film? (at office depot, $41.99 for 50 sheets of color laser printer). Films can be reused? And a school system should be able to buy in bulk?

From your complaint about parts, it sounds as if your purchasing and supply department faces challenges. If they can’t handle overhead projectors, what will they do when an active board breaks down?

If more money were buying a better education, I’d be all for it. However, when I see public money thrown away, it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. My kids attend a school which has white boards. I have yet to hear a compelling use case for them.

Either that, or you spend several hours washing off a full transparency roller to reuse it. Geez, what a wonderful use of teacher time and taxpayer dollars spent paying that teacher.

It’s also an issue that it’s hard to get decent quality, durable overheads.

It’s easy to whine “other people’s money” when you aren’t the one wrestling with equipment that doesn’t work, can’t be fixed, can’t be replaced, because the parts either don’t exist any more, can’t be ordered, or no one knows what you do to fix them.

Considering that in my school, the PTA made the choice to buy the technology, I’d say your pocket’s safe.

Then again, considering that money seems to be more important than education to most folks, what do I expect?

What it is replacing are those overheads with bulbs that don’t work, that don’t focus worth a hoot, that need to be cleaned regularly because the rollers aren’t stocked any more, and can be used more effectively in regular classroom light without dimming the lights.

Michael Schrage, who actually knows something about technology and its uses, has some relevant thoughts: All Rousseau and No Epictetus.

I’m all for technology that eases the workload for teachers… and if the whiteboards achieve this, then I’m all for them.

I’ve generally had a tough time with electronic pens. When I use one (for UPS, or to sign a credit card slip), it feels awkward and the output looks nothing like my regular handwriting – less legible.

I think pencils give you good tactile feedback.

Honestly don’t have a clue, I’ve never had a whiteboard to use. But a 5 year old wouldn’t be writing with a pen but would use a pencil.