Interactive Whiteboards

Interactive whiteboards provide an endless amount of new techniques and strategies for teachers and students in the classroom. Throughout elementary school, the one thing I wanted in my classroom was a "SmartBoard". I was so jealous of all of the other classes that had access to them and was bored of our old over head projector. Interactive Whiteboards, familiarly known as IWB, create an engaging and interactive environment between teachers and students. After reading about IWBs in Engaging Learners with Interactive Whiteboards I have learned appropriate uses and features for effective IWB use.

IWBs help students stay  connected with the lesson through by following the changing point of focus on the board. Watching an IWB with ongoing highlighting, coloring, zooming, hiding/revealing, multimedia content, etc. is much easier to stay focused on than simply watching a teacher write on a chalkboard. Student achievement through student response systems is, in my opinion, one of the most beneficial uses for IWBs. Similarly to how college students use "clickers" in large classes to keep focus throughout a lecture, early students can use this method to enhance interaction with the material and to make sure they are keeping their attention. Participation in a lesson is of utmost importance for students to learn effectively. Student response systems can be used to submit responses to polls or surveys and are immediately projected on the board. It is a quick and easy way to record responses and gives the whole class a visual as to what the responses look like as a group.

In order for IWBs to be as effective as impossible in the classroom, it is essential for teachers and instructors to have proper training and knowledge of this tool. While it is important for teachers to learn about IWBs before using them, it is just as necessary to stay up to date on new strategies, tools, techniques, etc. throughout their teaching career. Technology changes rapidly and teachers need to learn to incorporate keeping up to date on their products in their daily lesson plans.

http://teacher.scholastic.com/whiteboards/sciencemath.htm