Section 6 Exploring equipment

Exploring equipment: Interactive whiteboard emulator

Price guide: £400 upwards.

An interactive whiteboard emulator will transform any standard whiteboard into a powerful collaboration and communication tool. It is a high-resolution ultrasonic position-capture system consisting of:

  • A capture bar/receiver: a tracking array which is attached to a whiteboard with rubber suckers, and connected to the computer through either a USB or serial cable.
  • Electronic marker sleeves: dry-erase marker pens or special pen-style inserts are placed inside these battery-operated sleeves, which transmit an ultrasonic signal to the capture bar/receiver. The pens can then be used to annotate the whiteboard, or be used like a wireless mouse to control the software on the computer via the whiteboard.
  • Electronic eraser: a battery-operated eraser for use on the whiteboard. The emulator cannot capture erasures made by a normal board eraser.

Once the emulator’s driver has been installed on your computer (see Installing and downloading software in Section 7, ‘Technical know-how’), everything you write or draw on the whiteboard will be electronically captured in colour and real time. This data can then be saved and subsequently edited, printed or distributed electronically.

With a data projector connected to the computer as well (see Using a data projector in this section), the computer’s screen can be projected onto the whiteboard, and files and applications can be controlled directly from the whiteboard.

An interactive whiteboard emulator will give you all the advantages of an interactive whiteboard (see Exploring equipment: Interactive whiteboard within this section) for a fraction of the cost. Interactive whiteboard emulators are also much more portable and lightweight (around 0.5kg with batteries installed) than an interactive whiteboard, making them better suited to use across outreach locations. It is also worth noting that you do not necessarily need a whiteboard: the interactive whiteboard emulator can be attached to any flat surface such as a flip-chart, piece of hardboard, or even directly onto a wall. The only consideration here is whether or not you want to annotate your projected image using a dry-marker pen.

Using an interactive whiteboard emulator it is possible to:

  • capture, print and save lectures and notes, allowing students to interact with the session rather than spend time taking notes
  • save notes as HTML and upload them to a learning platform or email them to absent students
  • annotate either the data on the whiteboard or the software application being used
  • capture, print and save brainstorming sessions
  • access and annotate websites, provided the computer is connected to the internet
  • navigate and interact with instructional CD-ROMs or other learning resources.

The two main interactive whiteboard emulators currently available are the eBeam® and the mimio Xi™.

eBeam

There are three versions currently available, all of which attach to the top-left corner of a whiteboard:

  • System 1: uses two receivers and will enable you to capture up to an 8’ x 5’ surface. eBeam system 1 is recommended for permanent installations.
  • System 3 USB: uses one receiver to give a capture area of 8’ x 4’ normally, but two eBeam system 3 units can be combined to give you a capture area up to 12’ x 4’. This extended capture area is supported using two USB systems via a USB hub. eBeam system 3 offers a fully portable solution.
  • System 3 BT: exactly the same as the eBeam system 3, but it is a wireless version using Bluetooth® technology.

eBeam software is supplied with all systems, but the latest versions are available for download from the eBeam website [ The latest version of the software supports the annotation of the projected desktop as well as the annotation of background images inside the eBeam application.

When saving notes and drawings from the whiteboard, eBeam supports the following file formats: vector, PDF, PDF, HTML, BMP, EPS, JPEG, TIFF, EMF, PPT and PPS.

mimio Xi

The mimio Xi contains a built-in memory: it can be used without a computer, but still record and save all notes and drawings made during a session. This data can then be downloaded to a computer at a more convenient time, simply by connecting the mimio to the computer using a USB cable. There are also shortcut buttons included on the capture bar to open, tag or print a page, maximise or minimise a window, and to open the calibration control panel.

The mimio Xi is attached to the top-left corner of a whiteboard, either vertically for landscape-orientated boards or horizontally for portrait-orientated boards. There are two alternatives for attaching the capture bar to a whiteboard:

  • Temporary suction cup attachment: useful if the mimio is frequently being used in different locations. Ensure the board and suction cups are clean before attachment.
  • Long-term mounting bracket attachment: a better option if the mimio is frequently used on the same board. The mounting brackets are clipped onto the capture bar and attached to the whiteboard using adhesive strips. The clips will remain in place, but the capture bar can be easily removed if required. This is particularly useful if the mimioMouse is being used, because it eliminates the need to recalibrate the mimio every time it is used.

mimio Xi saves data in its own format: INK, or as image files, such as JPEG, BMP and PICT. INK data files are cross-compatible between Windows® and Macintosh® platforms. Data can also be exported to HTML, iMovie® and QuickTime™. Notes and drawings made using the mimio can also be copied and pasted into other applications such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.

Additional software and accessories for the mimio Xi include:

  • mimio writingRecognition: converts handwritten notes into ready-to-edit text (Windows only).
  • mimio boardCast: adds synchronised audio to your notes to create multimedia content or for use in distance and online learning applications (Windows only).
  • Carrying case: ideal for offsite use to protect the mimio and ensure parts are not lost.

mimio Xi software is supplied with all systems, but the latest versions are available for download from the mimio website [

Computer specification for running an interactive whiteboard emulator

  • PC:
  • IBM compatible, Pentium II 400MHz processor
  • MS Windows 98/98SE/Me/2000/XP
  • 32Mb RAM (64Mb recommended)
  • 15Mb RAM free hard disk space
  • CD-ROM drive
  • Available USB port
  • Macintosh®:
  • G3, G4, iMac®, PowerBook® G4 or iBook®, or PowerBook G3
  • 128Mb memory (physical RAM)
  • 15Mb free hard disk space
  • CD-ROM drive
  • Available USB port
  • Available video out port

Further information

Background information:

  • The Ferl website, ‘Types of display screens’, lists and discusses the different technologies [
  • The AClearn website, technical guidance [
  • Ferl Practitioners’ Programme, Module D, ‘Delivery Technologies’.

Product information:

  • The Mimio website [
  • The eBeam website [
  • The Ambra Solutions website [


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