1. A touch screen method for configuring and applying metadata tags on an electronic whiteboard, comprising: receiving as first touch screen input on the electronic whiteboard a tag class configuration instruction identifying a metadata tag class; displaying on the electronic whiteboard in response to the tag class configuration instruction a tag configuration list for the metadata tag class; receiving as second touch screen input on the electronic whiteboard a plurality of metadata tags and associated metadata tag priorities for inclusion in the metadata tag class, wherein the metadata tags and the associated metadata tag priorities are received as handwritten characters in empty metadata tag cells and counterpart empty metadata tag priority cells within the tag configuration list; associating in a memory on the electronic whiteboard the metadata tag class with the metadata tags and the associated metadata tag priorities; receiving as third touch screen input on the electronic whiteboard an object tagging instruction identifying an object on the electronic whiteboard to be tagged with metadata; displaying, on the electronic whiteboard in response to the object tagging instruction using the associated metadata tag class, metadata tags and metadata tag priorities a hierarchical selection menu including the metadata tag class as a selectable option on a first level and the metadata tags as selectable options on a second level, wherein the metadata tags are ordered on the second level in accordance with the metadata tag priorities; and receiving as fourth touch screen input on the electronic whiteboard a selection from the hierarchical selection menu of one of the metadata tags whereby the identified object is tagged with the metadata.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the object tagging instruction comprises a handwritten gesture in a syntax recognized by the electronic whiteboard as an object tagging instruction.