In many fields of science and investigation, blackboards have been replaced with whiteboards or slide show presentations. But chalk is cheaper and biodegradable. It smells better than whiteboard markers and is easier to clean up, mathematicians say. It is also more fun to write with.Sep 24, 2019
Chalk talks are especially good if the speaker did not rehearse it (verbally) or (worse) reads from notes. The reason is that it provides insight into the thinking of the mathematician. This can be lost in slides or written down papers.
A blackboard (also known as a chalkboard) is a reusable writing surface on which text or drawings are made with sticks of calcium sulphate or calcium carbonate, known, when used for this purpose, as chalk. Blackboards were originally made of smooth, thin sheets of black or dark grey slate stone.
Most mathematicians normally do initial research with pen (or pencil) and paper. Once their work is nearly ready for publication, they will write it up on the computer in LaTeX, which is the preferred format for journal submission.