Introduction > Presenting Science > Using Visual Aids > Whiteboards

Whiteboards Whiteboards can be used as an accompaniment or a stand-alone visual aid.  As with acetates, they can add an element of interactivity to your presentation, for example, by asking a member of the audience to add a comment to it, or by asking for comments from the audience for you to add to the whiteboard. Another useful application of a whiteboard is to use it as a second display, especially if you have a diagram or piece of text that would be useful to have displayed throughout your presentation.  However, bear in mind that this can be distracting, particularly if you can't hide the contents and if you don't want the information to be divulged until later in you presentation.  If you choose to write on a whiteboard, make sure your handwriting is neat and big enough to be read from the back of the room.  Untidy handwriting or  hastily drawn diagrams can give your presentation an unprofessional look.  As with all presentations, practice makes perfect! The 'new' generation of interactive whiteboards are becoming increasingly popular.  Although simple to use, they do take a bit of getting used to so make sure you have time to practice with it before your presentation.  Depending on the brand of whiteboard, you may not be able to use the board as a normal whiteboard because the pen affects the surface. The most common problems with whiteboards include not having whiteboard pens and a previous presenter using permanent maker pen, thus leaving you without a board!

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