What is the Difference Between Blackboard and Whiteboard

The difference between blackboard and whiteboard depends on their various benefits. Blackboards are cheaper, provides good readability, and are good for shading and colouring whereas whiteboards do not cause any health problems and serve multiple purposes as a teaching tool.

A blackboard is a hard and smooth board with a dark surface on which you can write and draw using chalk, while whiteboard is a board with a smooth, white surface on which you can write and draw using dry-erasable pens.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Blackboard 
     – Definition, Features, Pros and Cons
2. What is a Whiteboard
     – Definition, Features, Pros and Cons
3. What is the Difference Between Blackboard and Whiteboard
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Blackboard, Whiteboard

What is Blackboard?

A blackboard is a hard and smooth board with a dark surface used especially in a classroom for writing. Writings or drawings are made on the board with the use of chalk, sticks of calcium carbonate. This board is pained black so that it reflects the white chalk. There are also green coloured boards, which work like blackboards.

Blackboards used to be the main teaching tools in schools. However, nowadays many schools have found alternatives, and blackboards are only seen in some schools. Some restaurants also use blackboards to display their menus and special dishes.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to blackboards. One of the main disadvantages of blackboards is chalk dust. Chalkdust hangs in the air around and when it is inhaled, it gets deposited in the airways and lungs of people. Moreover, chalk dust can cause coughing, itchy eyes, wheezing, and several other symptoms. However, using blackboards is comparatively inexpensive and environmental-friendly as chalk is bio-degradable. Moreover, using white chalk on blackboards provide better contrast, allowing more visibility and clarity.

What is Whiteboard?

Whiteboard is a wipeable board with a white surface used for teaching or presentations. Melanin, steel, porcelain, hard-coat laminate, and tempered glass are materials commonly used for making the surface of the whiteboard. Erasable markers are used to write on them. We call these whiteboard markers or dry erasable markers. They can be erased with a dry eraser or a cloth. However, if you keep the writing for many days, you may find it difficult to erase.  

Whiteboards became popularly in the mid-1990s, and they have mostly replaced blackboards in many classrooms and offices. In addition, whiteboards also serve as projector screens. They can be used to play videos and do presentations. At present, there are also interactive whiteboards (IWB), which are electronic whiteboards controlled by computers.

Difference Between Blackboard and Whiteboard

Definition

A blackboard is a hard and smooth board with a dark surface on which you can write and draw using chalk while whiteboard is a board with a smooth, white surface on which you can write and draw using dry-erasable pens.

Writing

You need chalk (calcium carbonate) to write on a blackboard while you need whiteboard markers to write on a whiteboard.

Usage

Blackboards used to be a mandatory teaching tool in most classrooms; at present, whiteboards have taken the place of blackboards.

Dust

Chalk dust can cause breathing problems and allergies, but you won’t encounter this problem in using whiteboards.

For Designs or Arts

Blackboards are preferable over whiteboards for drawings or designs as blackboards are better in colouring and shading.

Environmental Impact

Using a blackboard is more environmental-friendly as chalks are biodegradable while whiteboard markers are not.

Conclusion

Both blackboards and whiteboards have their own pros and cons. Therefore, it’s important to take into the difference between blackboards and whiteboards before you decide which one to buy. Blackboards are preferable over whiteboards for drawings or designs as blackboards are better in colouring and shading. However, chalk dust can cause breathing problems and allergies, but you won’t encounter this problem in using whiteboards. You can decide which one to use based on your needs.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Person Writing On White Board” by Jeswin Thomas (CC0) via Pexels
2. “Think outside of the box” by Kaboompics.com (CC0) via Pexels