Week 2: Interactive Whiteboard (IWB)

Interactive Whiteboards (IWB) in the classroom are a useful tool which can enhance teaching and children's learning. IWB technology typically combines a projector with software and computer technology to produce enlarged and interactive images, animations and text for the purposes of teaching and learning. IWB technology has been described as a computer connected to a data projector which projects images onto a touch or pen-sensitive screen (BECTA, 2004; Bell, 2002; Kennewell & Higgins, 2007; Roberts, 2007). Using IWB's in the classroom can range from teacher use in a presentational style, or pupil use in a interactive and collaborative way. IWB's can be used to teach pupils all subjects across the National Curriculum. There are many benefits to using IWB's in the classroom including;

• discussion skills
• developing literacy skills
• developing computing skills
• combined education with entertainment
• developing thinking skills by displaying key questions and providing thought-provoking stimulus
• helps SEN and EAL pupil's to engage through visual and interactive learning.

You can learn all about the advantages of using an IWB in the classroom by visiting this useful website: https://k12teacherstaffdevelopment.com/tlb/using-smart-boards-in-the-classroom/.

We learnt that the teacher's role in successful learning through the use of IWB's in the classroom is extremely significant. It is what the teacher does with the resources available to them which will enable children to gain the full benefits of the IWB.

There are some factors that need to be considered when using IWB's with children such as;

• height and positioning - ensuring that all pupils can access and interact with it
• visibility of text - ensuring pupils can easily read any information
• light - ensuring children can clearly see the IWB.

This website highlights some of the pro's and limitations that teachers may come across when using IWB's in the classroom:

http://ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet26/northcote.html

SMART notebook

We looked at various resources available on the programme SMART notebook. There are different ways in which the children can be taught through this programme. These tools include; erase to reveal, adding animation to shapes, de-constructing images using the camera, layering, comparing pictures using the magic pen and spotlight and still shots from a video clip. Each group was asked to present to the rest of the class how to apply one of the above tools to help children's learning. 

We created a SMART notebook resource based on still shots from a video clip. We found an educational clip about E-Safety on YouTube. We used the photo tool to take snap shots of significant parts of the video and put this onto a slide on notebook. We used these images to prompt questions about E-Safety that pupils can interact with and will provide starting points for discussion around the issue. I found the erase to reveal tool particularly engaging. One of the groups used this tool to hide and reveal words to a nursery rhyme. Children would find this task engaging and interesting as the children would sing the song, then revealing the correct missing words to see if they were right. The SMART notebook has proved extremely useful in children's learning, as long as teachers use this resource in an engaging and interactive way.

Further Reading

BECTA (2004). Getting the most from your interactive whiteboard: A guide for secondary schools. Coventry, UK: British Educational Communications and Technology Agency. [verified 12 Jun 2010]