Interactive Whiteboards

History

• The first Interactive Whiteboard was developed by Canadian company SMART Technologies in 1991.

• Initially Interactive Whiteboard sales were slow due to little knowledge about their potential until SMART formed an alliance with American computer giant Intel Corporation.

• This alliance led to increased marketing and gradually teachers and other Interactive Whiteboard users were realising the benefits associated with a more interactive approach leading to a steady rise in their popularity and sales

What are Interactive Whiteboards?

• Interactive Whiteboards are a teaching and learning resource used for displaying and interacting with content

•They are generally used throughout schools and workplaces

•They display a computer screen via a projector which can be manipulated by teachers and students using either their hands as a mouse or specialised pens which are included with the software

•The computer screen remains the same only enlarged on the whiteboard so teachers and students can interact with the screen just as if it was on the computer by opening files and completing any other general computer applications using your hand or a pen

How are Interactive Whiteboards used?•Interactive whiteboards can be used in a variety of different ways within the class room including as an ordinary whiteboard, projector screen, electronic copy board or most commonly as a computer projector screen

•To use it as a computer projector screen you will need the Interactive Whiteboard as well as a computer and data projector

•The board can then be used as a computer being controlled by students and teachers using their hands or pens

•Teachers may display websites relevant to their lessons or any other educational software

• The board’s surface can be written or drawn on, with the image either saved to the computer, printed off or distributed over a network.

•Some other examples of how Interactive Whiteboards can be used in the classroom include:

• Saving lessons• Gving demonstrations• Using built in maps to teach Geography• Presenting teacher/student presentations• Digital storytelling• Brainstorming• Teaching students how to navigate the Internet

Web Links

Interactive Whiteboard Demonstrationhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjdNPMZJbLs

Interactive Whiteboards Australiahttp://www.interactivewhiteboards.com.au/index.html

What are the benefits?

For Teachers:

• Improves teacher presentations and demonstrations by drawing upon a wide variety of materials including multimedia, notes, drawings and the internet

• Allows teachers to introduce constant ICT learning in an ever increasingly technological world

• Provides the easiest ways for teachers to teach a class from a single computer

For students:

• They allow for increased collaborative learning and interactivity which is particularly valuable for ‘hands on learners’

• There is less demand for note taking allowing for increased concentration and participation of all students

• They provide a visually enhancing and stimulating type of learning

• Evidence suggests that the Interactive Whiteboard “increases enjoyment of lessons for both students and teachers through more varied and dynamic use of resources, with associated gains in motivation” (Levy, 2002).

Feedback

• Schools only purchased one Interactive Whiteboard

initially to test the students reaction to the new

teaching aid.

• Interactive Whiteboards make their classrooms a

brighter place.

• Students can tick themselves off the roll.

• Students remain engaged with topics that are very

easy to become distracted with.

• Students also love that they can interact and play

games on the Interactive Whiteboards.

Pros

• Students like the interaction

• Teachers like being able to clearly demonstrate or explain something

• It teaches students responsibility (It is their responsibility to tick their

names of the roll each day)

• Students learn about technology

• Students have open access to educational games on a large scale

• Teachers can use Interactive Whiteboards in most lessons

• Easy to use

• Accommodates all learning styles

• Suitable for all ages

• Students with special needs can use them

Cons

• Motivation can wear off in students once used

to the Interactive Whiteboards

• Interactive Whiteboards tend to be PC friendly

not MAC friendly

• Problems with too many wires in the classroom

• Students interfering with and being attracted to

playing with visible wires

• Clutters the classroom

• Takes a lot of time to pack away when needed

Cost

• The Interactive Whiteboards vary in cost depending on what the school is looking to purchase.

• For just the Interactive Whiteboard costs

start $2000-$4000

• For the Interactive Whiteboards stands $400-$600

• Bundles $5000-$5500 which includes

– Interactive Whiteboard

– Data Projector

– Sound System

– Wireless Multimedia Keyboard

– Data Projector Ceiling Mount

• Government Funding or Grants are often used to help Fund the Interactive Whiteboards.

References

• Interactive Whiteboards Australia 2009, viewed 25 March 2009,http://www.interactivewhiteboards.com.au/ • SMART Technologies 2009, viewed 25 March 2009,http://smarttech.com/ • YouTube 2009, viewed 25 March 2009,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjdNPMZJbLs