Interactive displays have revolutionised classroom teaching, transforming passive viewing into active engagement. But if you're new to this technology, the terminology and options can feel overwhelming. This guide explains everything you need to know about interactive display technology, from how touch screens work to the features that matter most for education.
What Is an Interactive Display?
An interactive display is essentially a large touch-sensitive screen that allows users to control content directly on the display surface rather than through a separate computer, keyboard, and mouse. In educational settings, this means teachers and students can write, draw, manipulate objects, and navigate software using their fingers or a stylus, much like a giant tablet computer mounted on the wall.
The technology has evolved significantly from the early days of interactive whiteboards. Modern interactive flat panel displays (IFPDs) combine the touch functionality with built-in computing capabilities, high-resolution screens, and software designed specifically for classroom use. They've largely replaced the older projector-and-whiteboard combinations that required careful calibration and frequent lamp replacements.
Understanding Touch Technology Types
Not all touch screens work the same way, and understanding the underlying technology helps explain differences in performance, price, and suitability for classroom use.
Infrared (IR) Touch Technology
Infrared touch screens use a grid of LED lights and sensors around the screen's perimeter. When you touch the screen, you interrupt the infrared beams, and the system calculates the touch position based on which beams are blocked. This technology is common in larger displays because it's cost-effective at big sizes and works with any pointing device—finger, stylus, or even a ruler.
IR Touch Advantages
- Works with any object (gloved hands, styluses, pointers)
- Cost-effective for large screen sizes
- Durable surface without sensitive coating
- Supports many simultaneous touch points
Capacitive Touch Technology
Capacitive screens, like those in smartphones, detect the electrical properties of your finger. They offer excellent touch accuracy and responsiveness but typically require direct skin contact or a special capacitive stylus. Some advanced educational displays use projected capacitive technology that maintains these benefits while supporting multiple touches.
Electromagnetic Resonance (EMR)
Some displays incorporate EMR technology specifically for stylus input, allowing for pressure-sensitive writing and drawing. This can be particularly valuable in art classes or when teaching handwriting, as the display can detect how hard you're pressing and adjust line thickness accordingly.
Key Features to Look For
When evaluating interactive displays for your classroom, several features significantly impact daily usability and teaching effectiveness.
Multi-Touch Capability
Modern interactive displays support multiple simultaneous touch points—typically 10 to 20 or more. This enables collaborative activities where several students can work on the screen together, using gestures like pinch-to-zoom or multi-finger rotation. For primary classrooms where group activities are common, robust multi-touch support is essential.
Writing and Annotation Tools
The ability to write and draw on the screen is fundamental to interactive teaching. Look for displays that offer:
- Palm rejection technology (so resting your hand doesn't create unwanted marks)
- Low latency writing (minimal delay between stylus movement and on-screen ink)
- Multiple pen colours and thicknesses
- Easy erasing (ideally with a fist or palm gesture)
- The ability to annotate over any content, including videos and websites
Built-in Computing vs. External Computer
Some interactive displays include built-in Android or Windows computing, allowing them to function independently without a connected laptop or desktop. Others require an external computer for full functionality. Built-in systems simplify setup and reduce cable clutter, but external computer connections offer more flexibility and easier upgrades.
Hybrid Approach
Many modern displays offer both: built-in computing for quick whiteboard sessions and basic apps, plus multiple HDMI/USB inputs for connecting laptops, document cameras, or other devices when needed.
Connectivity Options
Consider how the display will connect to other classroom equipment:
- HDMI inputs: For laptops, document cameras, and media players
- USB ports: For touch functionality, storage devices, and peripherals
- Wireless casting: For screen sharing from tablets and laptops without cables
- Network connection: For updates, cloud storage, and remote management
Educational Software and Ecosystems
The hardware is only part of the equation. Interactive displays typically come with educational software designed to enhance teaching. Common features include:
- Infinite whiteboard canvas: Unlike traditional whiteboards, you never run out of space
- Templates and backgrounds: Lined paper, graph grids, maps, musical staves
- Object libraries: Shapes, images, and educational resources ready to drag onto lessons
- Screen recording: Capture your lesson for students who missed class or for revision
- Cloud storage: Save and access lessons from anywhere
Many manufacturers offer their own software ecosystems. When evaluating options, consider whether the software integrates well with tools you already use—like Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, or your school's learning management system. Open compatibility is increasingly important as schools adopt diverse digital tools.
Installation and Positioning Considerations
An interactive display that's poorly positioned becomes frustrating rather than helpful. Key installation considerations include:
Mounting Height
Unlike passive displays where only visibility matters, interactive screens must be reachable. For primary classrooms where young children will use the display, mounting height should allow the smallest students to reach at least the bottom third of the screen. This often means mounting lower than you might for a standard display, with the bottom edge around 60-80cm from the floor.
Adjustable Mounting Solutions
Height-adjustable mounts and mobile stands offer flexibility, allowing teachers to raise the display for viewing and lower it for student interaction. While more expensive than fixed mounts, they're particularly valuable in classrooms serving students of varying ages or abilities.
Lighting Considerations
Interactive displays generally handle ambient light better than projector systems, but glare can still be problematic. Position displays to avoid direct sunlight or strong light sources reflecting off the screen surface. Our guide to classroom lighting covers this topic in detail.
Common Misconceptions
As interactive display technology has evolved, some outdated beliefs persist. Let's address a few:
Myth vs. Reality
Myth: "Interactive displays are just expensive whiteboards."
Reality: They're computing devices that enable entirely new teaching approaches—embedded assessment, instant access to web resources, collaborative activities, and multimedia integration that static whiteboards cannot match.
Myth: "You need extensive training to use them."
While professional development helps teachers maximise the technology's potential, modern interactive displays are designed with intuitive interfaces. Most teachers can start using basic features immediately.
Myth: "They'll replace traditional teaching methods."
Interactive displays are tools that enhance teaching rather than replace pedagogical fundamentals. Effective teachers use them strategically alongside other methods.
Getting Started with Interactive Teaching
If you're new to interactive displays, start simple. Begin by using the display as you would any screen—showing presentations, videos, and websites. Then gradually incorporate touch features: annotating over content, using the whiteboard for explanations, and involving students in touching and manipulating on-screen objects.
Many teachers find specific subject applications particularly powerful: dragging labels onto diagrams in science, manipulating shapes in mathematics, or using timeline tools in history. Start with one subject area where you see clear potential, build confidence there, then expand your interactive teaching repertoire.
Key Takeaway
Interactive displays succeed when they're used to do things that weren't possible before—not just to replicate what you could do with chalk and paper. Focus on the collaborative, dynamic, and visual capabilities that make these tools unique.
Interactive display technology continues to evolve, with features like built-in student response systems, AI-powered content suggestions, and seamless cloud integration becoming standard. By understanding the fundamentals covered in this guide, you're well-prepared to evaluate options and make the most of whatever interactive technology your classroom employs.