In many high school classrooms (including those in LD), many students doodle on the whiteboards.

While some teachers may forbid it, drawing on class whiteboards can allow students to express themselves and create a “classroom culture”.

First, drawing fosters creativity and stress relief, both essential for students balancing academic and personal pressures. This can provide a “mental break” of sorts for students drawing during downtime.

Second, whiteboard drawing can build community. Shared sketches, jokes, or messages can make classrooms feel more welcoming and student-centered, and make the students feel more at home.

Lastly, student use of whiteboards can promote informal learning. Explanations, problem-solving, and visual note-taking can often occur on classroom whiteboards.

Lower Dauphin students are divided in support of drawing on whiteboards. Senior Daphne Linn says “It gives the classroom a personality and gives students something to look forward to.” Senior Dylan Kreiss, however, says “It is the teacher’s classroom and ultimately up to each teacher whether doodles that are present are appropriate or if the presence of doodles at all are appropriate.”