Just like with everything, products improve once solutions to different challenges are reached. During the ’70s is when we experienced the beginning of the phase-out of chalkboards and the introduction of whiteboards. Whiteboards were, however, commercially available during the 60s.
When thinking about “chalkboard vs whiteboard”, there are a variety of things to consider when trying to pinpoint the reasons for leaving chalkboards in the past. Aside from the messes that they caused, they also posed health risks to those that used them and this was a problem that needed to be solved. The answer was little to no-mess dry-erase options.
Let’s talk about the difference between the two of these note-taking tactics and see how these products have evolved.
Let’s Talk About Health
While chalkboards seemed to give students and educators a way to learn, teach, and communicate, there was a bit of a problem using these boards long term. Occupationally related pulmonary function impairments were the top concerns associated with chalkboards. That’s mainly due to breathing in chalk dust which is known for causing respiratory diseases.
Doing this for long periods of time is extremely harmful and believe it or not, it can be fatal. Educators, because they are the primary users throughout the day were at the greatest risk. You have to still consider, though, how many students were using chalk every day.
You have to also consider how long they were used. This is especially true given the general proximity to chalkboards when using them which increased health risks.
Chalkboard vs Whiteboard: Taking Note of the Difference
If you’re wondering…”what is a chalkboard?”, it’s a hard board that has a dark surface and that surface is what’s used to write on with chalk. If you ask yourself “what is a whiteboard?”, it’s similar except for the fact that it’s a smooth board that’s used to write on with dry-erase markers.
The main difference between the two is the surface that’s used for writing and drawing. While the concept of the two is the same, there is one option that has significantly more advantages over the other. A whiteboard is safer and cleaner to use and they come in a variety of presentations. A movable glass whiteboard system is a good example of how whiteboards have evolved and why they are so popular.
Chalkboard uses at this point, are more so used for aesthetics rather than primary options for education, work, or general activities. There are other “chalkboard vs whiteboard” considerations as well such as the fact that dry-erase markers are easier to hold and use than chalk.
Also, cleaning chalk erasers plays into the concern of health risks. Erasers used on dry-erase boards don’t raise health concerns and rarely require cleaning if at all.
There’s Always a Better Solution
Chalkboards are a part of the past. It’s unlikely that they will ever be primarily used in the future. Whiteboards, however, are a thing of the present and the future.
The reason for this is that they are adaptable to almost any application or setting and they don’t present health concerns. The thought of “chalkboard vs whiteboard” isn’t a far-fetched race as it’s clear that whiteboards were the solution to the variety of concerns that arose in the past when we used chalk. Even now, whiteboards continue to evolve into new designs.
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