My younger students are familiar with the interactive white board. Having them prepare a presentation using the whiteboard can heighten the interaction in the class. Also, students will have a sense of ownership of the class if they prepare presentations for the white board.
Good points, Pierre, and there is the benfit of the capture capability and distribution of work for further study.
Instructors should use an interactive white board to organize the lesson plan delivery. Keeping the students engaged by highlightning subject key points that would trigger learner's interets to discuss them in more details, by using different colors erasers, by mixing capital & cursive letters when writting to get their attention and by presenting the topic under the form of a dialogue where student's feed back makes the learning progress.
Students are more apt to engage when their input is valued and providing a chance to give feedback engages the student.
STudents who are not comfortable with communicating verbally in class may be more open to discussion in the written form.
Thanks, Patti. Also think about the collaboration and distribution of the learning process that is possible with the white board tool. This allows students to work together, think together, and continue on with the process outside the classroom. Often collaboration takes longer than the class period and this provides that extended opportunity.
Yes, Patti. I like your tactile benefit of the technology. So true! The interaction, customization, and innovation that is possible with the technology means that student engagement is enriched and heightened. Do you have specific examples of this with your students, Patti?
The white board utilizes touch as part of the learning process. Many people learn hands on and can pick up information better if they are allowed to manipulate the objects with their hands. Plus, it is a fun, exciting toy that captures students' attention. Being able to get up and move around also helps.
Katherine, the problems you're having with the white board is more to do with the make and version. That is the problem with technology - newer versions are always coming out and are better than what went before. Our problem is we don't have endless technology budgets to keep up :) Keep practising so that you can deal with the issues quickly as the purpose of the technology is still valid. Yes, clickers do stimulate great interest in students and immediate response. They engage and help build ideas...
My experience with the white board has not been positive.
Basically, it seems to be incredibly touchy. The slightest tap on the board stand can put the system connection out of whack. This has a two fold impact. First, it slows down the class as the instructor has to go back and resynchronize the screen. And second, the student interaction becomes tentative to non-existant, as they are afraid to put the system out of whack.
On the other hand, I have made consistent use of clickers in the classroom as the students seem to get VERY involved in the discussion that the opinion questions generate.
How does that differ and expand the benefits of original boards, Kenny? What do the interactive aspect and distributive capabilities add to the learning environment?
Either in the classroom or lab area, specifics can be listed, drawn or discribed on a white board for easy reference.
I use an interactive whiteboard as much as possible along with audio conferencing. I love being able to place and move diagrams of ideas and clipart to the board, edit them later, and use the basic built-in tools (draw, erase, point).
Due to the fact that most digital whiteboards allow the above features, it actually has benefits over its physical counterpart, where you would rely on a projection or similar, along with a whiteboard. The digital representation allows an all-in-one in most situations.
Also, some whiteboards allow students to raise their hands and take control over the tools to continue an idea that I may be sharing (finishing a line on a flowchart, for example).
I feel that a majority of classes, if they have the capability, should focus on sessions with this great teaching tool that helps bridge the gap between so many different technologies.
Students have began requesting additional sessions with the whiteboard, and have demonstrated greater skill after our sessions. I don't mind taking the time for these extra sessions. A dedicated instructor would actually like to "get back to the basics". In some online courses, this is the only way to sit down next to the student and look over their shoulder.
Most interactive white board vendors also provide countless grahics and images and resources via supporting software. When choosing a vendor, this would be part of the discussion...
I would love to have a white board. I get excited thinking about the interaction it will cause in the class between the students and I.
I can see how it would help my visual and audio learners.
However, drawing is not my finer skill. haha
Sylvia, what specifically do you think you would benefit from using the SmartBoard with your students?
I haven't used a white board. I love the information on it so far. I am looking forward to talkIng to me boss about buying one.
Yes, Kim, and I hope you are successful in getting a board soon :) Think about the possibility to collaborate, capture and send the exchanges to all students. This takes the process well beyond the confines of the class.
I currently don't have one, but we do have several in our schools and Ihave been trained on them. I have requested one so hopefully I will have this technology in my classroom soon.
I think would keep the students engaged in the discussions occuring in the classroom and keep them more focused. I know when I do provide interactive activities when we review for quizzes and tests they seem to be more interested in participating then if I just ask questions and wait for them to respond. It is is a way to get all of them involved.
Yes, and your second point is so important, Stacey. Digital technology means we can capture and reuse/send/modify work as we go. This gives teachers direct access to understanding the progress of their students as well as help build collaborative skills in students.
