White boards
in my experience white boards are not only helpful to the students but help me keep my thoughts organized when teaching.
Sara,
Great idea. Sometimes the glare can be a problem, but students usually get used to it. I also like the "getting up and moving around" aspect this activity provides. Keeps students engaged and focused.
Barry Westling
One of the small fun things I do with the white board is when I hand out a word search or a crossword puzzle, I project it to the white board and the students take turns coming up to the board and filling them in. This serves several purposes. One, they read the question or word before filling it in so they get a little pronounciation practice, and it also gets them up in front of the class in a non-scary way, so that when they have to give a report, they are a little more comfortable being up in front of the class
Glenn,
Expressive instructors rely on the white board and that can be effective, exspecially when one is using colors, borders, linking, and student validation. For me, the white board is an extension of my thinking (I just wish I could write faster and still be legible). But I've learned that as I momentarily turn to write a point, word, or diagram on the board, students get a thinking break too, as they reflect on what was just said or is about to be said. Also, I use the board for outlining - at the beginning of class, throughout the class, and summarizing at the end of class, along with homework or preview of the following day.
Barry Westling
The white board is one of the primary types of media I use the in classroom. I found the Harvard video on chalkboards very helpful and served as reinforcement for my use of the white board. The video points out using boarders and other methods to highlight and tie together different areas. I like to use different color pens to separate the different points or areas of discussion. I typically will use the white board to capture student responses to questions I will put to the class. I liked how the video points out how this is a great way of acknowledging student responses.
Lisa,
Sometimes I'll use color variety, mostly one color for general writing and red for special emphasis. Most times, I'll choose one color as my primary color (for me, it's dark blue) so that it contrasts against the white board and emphasis color (red) nicely. This is my preference. Like an essay wriiten in all color fonts would be a little difficult to read, that's how i feel about the white board. I understand others will use other colors to suit their needs.
Barry Westling
Me, too! I tend to get off track very easily and my groups are particularly chatty. I feel the white board is as valuable to me as it is for the students. I use different colors, the vibrancy of each color is related to its importance informationally.
Christine,
Yes, and they're interactive for me as well. I can share ideas, write terms, explain concepts, illustrate a point, and provide emphasis verbally and visually. Sometimes I'll have students come to the white board to express their thoughts, write a comment, or just write down information for me. This is one way to engage a student if they are having difficulty staying focused.
Barry Westling
Using white boards are a great tool for interactive learning.
Deborah,
I like the whiteboard and use it as an extension of my thoughts, discussion, examples, explanation, emphasis, and so forth. It is a bit messy, especially on days when there is a lot of "board work". Nontheless, the whiteboard ought to be considered the welcomed friend of every instructor (in my opinion).
Barry Westling
They help me put importance on what I need to have them remember. Also when things need to be specific and exact, writing it down for them lets them know what needs to be where.
Too much writing can confuse them.
Kevin,
Many teachers can express many ideas via the white board. Like a craftsman using a tool, many instructors use the whiteboard as extension of themselves, i.e., their art, words, concepts, etc. It;'s a great universal tool that can complement nearly any lecture or discussion.
Barry Westling
I use the white board a lot in my class. it also helps me keep me organized and you can use it to illustrate whatever topic you are discussing
Nicole,
The white board is a great improvement over the chalk board, and is one of the instructors best friends in my opinion. Dep[ending on a few variables, the instructor can do basically all needed instruction, or ampolicaications with a white board and a mix of colors. I like to think of the whiteboard as an extension of what I'm thinking, wanting the students to know, my emphasis, and my outline of essential information.
Barry Westling
I prefer them since you can color-code material and assignments.
cynthia,
I'm like you, I like the board for illustrating my thoughts, whether they be word, ideas, illustrations, whateve. I use the whiteboard much like a mind map, something that lets me express what I'm thinking, clearly illustrated to my students.
Barry Westling
As a math teacher, I love the white board! When a student has a question that involves problem-solving, I can easily draw pictures to illustrate and show the sequence of steps. With a white board, I can be spontaneous to their questions and show them a variety of methods to problem solve!
Regina,
I think the white board as an extension of my thinking process, and use it for emphasis, lists, and important information. I try to illustrate whenever I can (I need help with drawing people!).
Barry Westling
I find it very useful for writing on the whiteboard especially for agendas so the students know their day activities. I rarely use the white boards for my own thoughts and ideas. In my classroom environment, I tend to notice that writing my thoughts on the board which is something the student should know does not really get the student involved whereas, an agenda, they know what to expect and it already outlines the day for them.
I agree,it also gives reference points for later during the lesson.
