THE HISTORY OF THE BLACKBOARD

Introduction

In the early 1800s, the introduction of the blackboard revolutionized teaching in the traditional classroom setting. Before blackboards, teachers would be responsible for preparing individual “slates” for each lesson. Early classroom slates were made from a piece of wood covered in paint or grit. Schoolroom slates made of slate and framed with wood, did not appear until the mid-1800s. The utilization of the blackboard allowed teachers to present lessons at the front of the classroom, transferring the ownership of the slate, to the students. In addition, the introduction of this new technology created a more ubiquitous learning environment. Classroom blackboards became vastly popular for economic reasons, and by the mid-1800s, nearly every classroom in the United States had one.

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The first schoolroom blackboards were made from large pieces of slate or wooden boards painted with black ink. In some rural areas, boards were covered with a mixture of egg whites and charred potatoes. In the 1930s, the blackboard evolved when manufacturers began producing the green “blackboard”. These boards were made of steel and coated with porcelain enamel, both reducing glare and making them easier to look at during prolonged lessons. In the 1990s, schools began adopting whiteboards, eventually making blackboards more or less obsolete.

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In recent years, the blackboard has made a comeback, although not so much in the classroom. Today’s chalkboards have become a trend in home décor, dining establishments, as well as at special events.

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“The inventor or introducer of the black-board system deserves to be ranked among the best contributors to learning and science, if not among the greatest benefactors of mankind” (Bumstead, 1841, p. viii). The introduction of the blackboard significantly improved teaching and learning for a variety of reasons. First, because of its simplicity, it was easily accessible to even the youngest of learners. Little skill was needed to master the use of chalk and slate. The chalkboard was largely adaptable. It served as a valuable teaching tool, not only in the areas of language and mathematics, but also art, geography and science. It provided a way for teachers to transfer information to the whole class rather than the individual, making teaching and learning more efficient, and in some cases effective. In addition to the blackboard being reliable, it was also reusable, portable and cost-effective.

When blackboards were introduced, they revolutionized teaching, but the teaching was largely a one-way transfer of information from educator to pupil. With research and the development of learning theories, we now know that learning is more effective when approached from a constructivist model. Although the use of blackboards in the 1800s did not approach teaching and learning in this way, they played an important role in adding to the momentum of education in general.

Conclusion

As technology evolves, whether it be from individual slate boards to classroom blackboards, or overhead projectors to Smartboards, it will continue to influence the way in which educators teach and students learn. It will also have a significant impact on the way classroom members interact with each other, both in the classroom and globally. In addition, the blackboard made it possible for lessons to be stored, referred to, amended and recorded. Although meagre, the blackboard became a keystone to teaching and learning throughout the 1800s and even into the 1900s.