How does the interactive whiteboard work?

The interactive whiteboard functions as an input device for your computer, enabling you to work in any application on the connected computer. You need two additional components to use the interactive whiteboard: a computer and a digital projector. These components work together as follows:

• Your computer runs an application and sends the image to the projector.

• The projector casts the image onto the interactive whiteboard.

• The interactive whiteboard detects contact with its screen and sends each contact point to the connected computer.

If your interactive whiteboard includes a pen tray with control and tool selection buttons, use the pen tray buttons to select different tools. For example, when you press the left-click button, the interactive whiteboard interprets the touch of your finger as a mouse click and you can control the computer from the interactive whiteboard. When you pick up a pen and press one of the color buttons, digital ink appears, enabling you to write over the desktop or any open application.

When you install SMART Learning Suite, you can access all the features of the interactive whiteboard. SMART Learning Suite includes SMART Notebook collaborative learning software, SMART Ink and SMART Product Drivers.

With SMART Ink, a dynamic (floating) toolbar appears on the desktop. You can use this toolbar to change the pen’s color, thickness or other properties temporarily, or use some of SMART Ink’s tools such as screen capture, spotlight, screen shade, and so on. For more information, see Using SMART Ink.

You can download SMART software from smarttech.com/software. These web pages list the minimum hardware requirements for each software version. If SMART software is already installed on your computer, take this opportunity to upgrade the software to ensure compatibility.