Melanie ,
You might be successful in obtaining the mobile board strips (e.g. Mimio strips) to use with any regular white board. These strips are not a robust as an actual board but do provide an interactive projection surface you can use.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Melanie ,
Very true, Melanie. The level of interaction and participation rises in any classroom, regardless of age :)
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Anytime you can get students up and moving around, it is a good thing-especially in a class that is a four hour block. Using technology to vary instruction is a plus.
I teach Humanities and there is a PowerPoint version of Jeopardy that can be used on a white board for reviewing material or working in teams to design answers to relevant questions. I would love to use this but unfortunately, my college only has two of these that are portable and using them means scheduling issues etc.
Thank you for breaking this down for those of us who are techno-challenged! I have actually seen and used interactive white boards while substituting in K-5 but mostly in kingergarten settings. Children really loved answering questions and choosing the direction of the information.
In a college classroom, it can be just as dynamic while allowing students to make choices,thus stimulating some critical thinking from time to time.
Miguel,
Awesome! I love this description of how you use the technology in your discipline. Capture and distribute also mean the learning can go beyond the immediate group or space.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
It allows us in the art world to express our instruction side by side with our students, these new boards are great for communicating specific drawing techniques in my art classes.
Stanley,
so, combining the interactive board with blue tooth or mobile technology makes the learning environment seamless. Great points!
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Thomas,
Great points about work readiness - the technology also enhances the thinking/teaching and learning processes by increasing interaction, engagement and collaboration. These are skills employers look for as well and they improve student academic success.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
The interactive white board is one example of a setup where student can input as well as the instructor. The key word is "interactive". You can use the board with websites, with Office programs, especially PowerPoint. This can be used to get the student more involved. In fact, students, and instructors, don't have to stay in one place in the classroom.
Blended classes are, I think, the wave of the future, but at this point, there still is residential learning going on. The key is to make the class-room as much a team effort as possible. Microsoft has some good programs and add-ons that will allow this.
I work at a career college, our job is to prepare studetns for careers. Almost all jobs need some type of technological knowledge. Having our students use whiteboard technlogy gives them a better understanding of how technology can enhance the working environment. With so many devices and today's work environment using this technology it is imperative that we give our students "hands on" experience with any devices that are used in today's oworld.
Shafi,
Do you have any experiences of this technology, Shafi? I agree with your statement, however, I think it would be interesting to hear more about why you think this way about it.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
The toool is a great value for the learning process.The class will get involved,
Shaunda ,
Critcal exploration and discovery - the essence of engaging learning. Great points!
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Let's be honest. If the topic on the white board is boring, dull non-inspiring, participation will be low. I find that being a bit controversial increases participation. At least enough that there can be an interchange, a dialog if not a resolution. If you give a student the expected, you will get the expected. If you give a student a surprise, they will surprise you!
Todd,
So, you use the conventional whiteboard "interactively" :) Well done! If you do not have funds for a SmartBoard/Teamboard perhaps you might explore the Mimio strips which are less expensive and can create an interactive surface on any existing white board. Just a suggestion...
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I don't have access to an interactive white board. I use the conventional white board quite a lot as I am a visual learner and I know many of my students are as well. I often teach automotive electrical courses and we study the use of wiring diagrams. I not only draw several diagrams on the board, but I often have students come up and make corrections, or draw in the position of certain meters to take measurements. It would be great to have interactive white boards because I would like to give each student the opportunity to draw, make additions to and corrections to their diagrams to demonstrate how well they understand the process. If they can draw a functioning circuit or make corrections or additions to an existing circuit then they certainly have a good grasp of how it works, and I would love to have that level of feedback and interaction.
Excellent, Vanessa. Yes, comparing the two groups will be helpful, making sure that you clearly define your expectations and their feedback. You getting more familiar with the technology is key, too, so practice as much as you can.
I will be doing somewhat of a comparison study. Since I have two groups to deal with going forward I can evaluate group B and make modifications prior to implementing this technology to group A. I have my work cut out for me however I continue to re-evaluate that which I have learned and I am confident with practice, patient and some effort this process will become second hand.
Yes, Vanessa. A lot of brainstorming can be captured using this technology. These boards also allow for capturing projects and team work that can then be distributed to the wider group for input, thus maximizing the effort.
I like the fact that interactive whiteboards can be used for brainstorming. Alot of our activities depend upon different perspectives.Interactive white boards provide the necessary time to collaborate minus the chaosand promotestudent involvement.
