The computerised whiteboards at Huntington School are an amazing technological innovation. Teachers can use them as traditional whiteboards or, at the touch of a button, convert them to giant computer screens visible to the whole class.

Using their fingers as a 'mouse' they, or their pupils, can carry out all the normal computer functions by fingertip 'clicking' on a particular icon.

They can even write on the screens, using special pens or their fingers, and then print out the contents.

Most amazing of all, the screens can be used to play CD Roms.

Teachers have welcomed the boards - described as a 'resource for the whole city of York' - with open arms, pointing out that instead of pupils working individually on terminals, the whole class can learn together. There are, though, disadvantages.

Beleaguered teachers have long been denied the use of handy blackboard rubbers to throw at unruly pupils.

Perhaps they can conjure up a virtual caning on screen to maintain discipline.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.