White (& Interactive) is the New Black
Just like the 'three R's', the dunce hat and corporal punishment*, blackboards now belong only to history lessons.
(*though not literally)
Interactive Whiteboards (IWBs) are now at the front of the classroom and also at the front of most people's minds when it comes to thinking about how technology has impacted teaching.
With this new technology comes a challenge to teachers; they must educate themselves on the all the capabilities IWBs have to offer and ensure that their use is a compliment to best practice and not a distraction.
If we're going to encourage all teachers to make good use of IWBs then lets first look at some of the pro's and con's.
Pro's
- provides a smoother and better paced presentation of curriculum
- strongly engages children by providing information in a range of formats
- offers good oportunities for active participation for pupils, both as individuals and groups
- flexibility allows for structured lesson planning but can also respond spontaneously to children's input
Con's
- effectiveness depends on the teacher's knowledge and ability to use the technology
- they do not replace the need for professional expertise, subject knowledge and pedagogical skills
- if the technology isn't working teachers need to be prepared with a quick back up plan to get the best out of their lesson
- height and size can be restrictive to some pupils
Further research on the arguments for and against IWBs can be found here.
Layering:
What key features does an IWB have?
Dragability:
If there is one feature that really sets IWBs apart from any other instructional
technology, it is the ability to move objects around the screen by dragging them
with a finger or a stylus pen.Layering:
Layering refers to the way objects created on the board can be stacked in a particular order so that one object is able to obscure the object below it. So, as a simple example, a picture of a cow could be used to cover the word “cow” and a student or teacher could drag the picture away to reveal the text below. This simple principle of hiding and revealing information with the layer above is a common and extremely useful way to use the IWB interactively.
An unlimited number of savable screens:
Conventional teaching boards suffer from a number of major limitations, but one of the most obvious ones is the amount of stuff you can put on them. After you scribble your notes and diagrams all over them you have to basically clear the board in order to continue, and everything you just scribbled is lost forever. This is no longer a problem with IWBs, you can write (and save) page after page of notes and diagrams without ever having to worry about filling up the board. This also makes well prepared lessons invaluable as the resources can be used over and over again at the click of a button.
For more detailed information about IWB features and how they can be used please click below.
In conclusion, as teachers the technology has arrived (and more is coming whether we like it or not) so its best, for both us and our pupils, to embrace the opportunities it provides.
Other Useful Websites for IWBs and Resources
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