Chalkboards?
I don't mean to be critical but I have a suggestion. The section on classroom setup talks about preparing your classroom and ensuring you have enough chalk for blackboards. I haven't used chalk in at least 15 years. Are there still classrooms with chalkboards? If not, I think it would be a good idea to change the text in this area as it gives the impression that this training material is old an outdated. At least put a reference to markers and white boards.
Hi Shannon,
You make a good point about what works for you. The key is to use what holds the interest of the students and what they will respond to. If you are getting good results from the dry-erase board then use it and enjoy the learning that is going on in your classroom.
Gary
As a first-time instructor, I have so far found that the students are more attentive when I use the dry-erase board with markers. This was one of the opportunities given to me to present course content versus power-point presentations. Maybe I am in an older stage, but I have found that I can present more content by use of the dry-erase board than by power-point presentations.
I also use dry erase boards and have found that certain brands of markers leave marks that require using a liquid eraser...while other brands erase very easily.
Hi Ryan,
Good question. I use a white board as well and find that the only way I can really get it clean is to use the liquid eraser at the end of the lecture. I do use it if I am going to clean the board and then have an activity so the liquid can dry. It doesn't take long but it does have to be dry before you write on it again or it is a mess. A slightly damp cloth containing the liquid wrapped around the eraser does a fairly good job as well. Hope this helps.
Gary
Here we are curently up to date with power point and white boards with dry erase markers. i find it is hard to keep the dry erase boards clean? any advise?
Hi Dale,
Good question about being relevant. Chalkboards are still used in many colleges throughout the United States. At my college I use a chalkboard everyday when lecturing and listing announcements/objectives etc.
We used markers and white boards and found them to not be as easy to read and effective for student learning so we went back to the chalkboards. Of course chalkboards are used in concert with demonstrations/PPs and other forms of technology.
I think that it all depends on the college and how they perceive the use of wall writing in their educational philosophy.
Gary
