OpenBoard – Interactive Whiteboard for the Digital Age

Educational Software
August 1, 2024
0
319
5 minutes read

OpenBoard is a free, open-source application that turns your computer into an interactive whiteboard. It is available for Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu Linux (uses .deb installation package).

What is OpenBoard?

The simplest way to understand how OpenBoard works is to think of it as a digital version of a school whiteboard, but with many more features. At the start, when you launch the application, you will see just a blank whiteboard. You can work with a mouse, a special pen, or a touchpad. Unlike a regular whiteboard, the writing space is not limited and new pages can be added, like in a notebook. Multiple pages on a single topic make up a document.

Documents are saved in the OpenBoard format. What you create can be exported as a PDF for sharing. OpenBoard can open PDF documents and files from popular presentation programs.

It has curtains for gradually revealing content, similar to transitions in presentation programs. It can zoom in on specific parts of the screen. It also has a timer for tracking presentation time.

The left sidebar is used for browsing and navigating through the document, while the right sidebar contains the Library. In the Library, you will find integrated applications and tools such as a calculator, geometric tools, Google Maps, a QR generator, and more.

You can access the documentation at the following link. It supports hardware interactive whiteboards, special pens that write on them, and touch-sensitive screens.

How Does OpenBoard Work?

Essentially, the application is easy to use and can operate in four modes: Board Mode, Desktop Mode, Documents Mode, and Web Mode. Understandably, the most important is Board Mode with its tool palette, The Stylus palette. Desktop Mode allows the use of the entire computer with other programs installed on it. In Documents Mode, you can manage folders and files like in a file manager. Web Mode allows internet access from within the application, as it has a built-in web browser.

You can write, draw, and erase on the board (screen). Different colors and line thicknesses are used for drawing and writing. Images, video, and audio recordings can be placed on the board. Parts of the screen can be cut out and moved to another place or saved as a separate file. When you fill one page, you can add a new one using the “+” sign. You can create video and audio recordings of presentations and lessons from within the application. Multimedia content can be added using the drag and drop method.

Who is OpenBoard For?

The operation is similar to a regular whiteboard, which many users find advantageous. Content can be easily changed during the presentation. It has a large number of tools that support the creativity of the presenter or teacher. This is a whiteboard with added digital functions. In fact, it is a mix of a whiteboard and a presentation program. This application gains significance when presenting created content on large monitors, TVs, or projectors. Using OpenBoard, lectures look more modern and interactive. Many readers will recall having something similar to a whiteboard on their wall, serving as a reminder.

OpenBoard can be particularly useful for teachers and those who give presentations. This application feels more natural for presenting content than standard presentation programs. On the other hand, it doesn’t have all the tools that these programs offer (usually as part of the Office suite). The program is free and has no usage restrictions. It is open-source, so those with the necessary programming skills can tailor it to their needs.

Platform:
Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu