Smart boards

First of all, what is an interactive electronic whiteboard? To my knowledge it’s a super fancy presentation device. So, computer images are displayed on the board by a digital projector, where they can be seen and operated. Presentations can be controlled through a specific software both from the computer and from the board. 

See, fancy!

So, the use of interactive white boards in class, yay or nay. Let’s rant. 

Considering that it is actually called an INTERACTIVE whiteboard is an advantage all on its own. I do feel that writing endlessly on a chalkboard could actually serve as a stressor and a waste of time. To be completely honest with tools such as the chalkboard, I always thought in school that there was a strong emphasis on written communication, and that only, and to me that resulted in a very one dimensional approach to education and to my learning. The chalkboard actually left very little room for versatility in and out of the classroom.

However, does that mean that an interactive whiteboard is the only and best tool?

The interactive whiteboard seems to provide yet another alternative way of communicating information to students, effectively. It has the potential to adjust the classroom by introducing a wider and more accessible variety of resources, such as internet, PDFs, flash etc. All of these effective resources are available for use with IWBs. This interactive, integrated technology, which may actually just be a slightly more advanced version of the humble chalkboard opens a world of possibilities in education. IWBs are now acting as a digital windows for both teachers and students.  

As I briefly mentioned earlier, I felt that the chalkboard perpetuated a very one dimensional approach to learning. It focused on the written and written part of learning alone. The problem with this is that not every child is going to respond effectively to one way of teaching. With the IWB I do believe that it could afford the opportunity to accommodate different learning styles. Demonstrative learners can benefit from touching and marking at the board, learners who benefit from audio have the benefit of listening to a song or a poem being recited and can have a class discussion after. Learners who are stimulated by visual aids or representations can see what is taking place as it develops at the board.

The IWB thrills me on the basis that the boards are clean and attractive tools. I appreciate and prefer a clean environment and with an IWB there won’t be any messy chalk dust to clean after every single class.

After discussing, the IWB sounds great and all, and it really can benefit a wide variety of people of all ages and different kinds of students, however I do think that the use thereof NEEDS to be employed in the right way! I’ve said it so many times before, resources need to enhance learning, not rely on them. A child cannot learn from an IWB, but they can learn from an educator who uses resources effectively and efficiently. The mere fact that the word ‘interactive’ is in the title means nothing. As an educator I believe you still have to bring about the interaction J

So basically with proper planning and prep I do believe the IWB is a powerful, instructional, proficient tool, which can be adapted for use with a wide range of subjects and ages.