Week 2: The Interactive Whiteboard

We had a very hands on session this week! We were introduced to the Interactive Whiteboard; What it is and how we can use it in the classroom. Here's this weeks mind map highlighting the main points of our discussions:

Hope you can read it ok! 

What is an IWB?

An Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) has the layout of your everyday computer screen, and performs the same functions you would with a computer, but this time it is projected onto a large interactive screen, which instead of navigating with a mouse, you navigate with a sensored pen or your finger! This is an interesting video introducing the ways in which the IWB can be used in the classroom:

In my primary school days during the 90's, we had normal whiteboards with no interactive qualities at all. Since their introduction in the mid-noughties, IWB's have become pretty common place. In less than a decade they have become an integral part of children's everyday learning in the classroom. The most common kinds of IWB are Smart Boards (you often hear them being referred to as this, as opposed to 'Interactive Whiteboards').


Why use an IWB?

As you can see from my mind map, in the session we discussed the uses of the IWB, what to consider when using one, and what benefits it can bring to teaching and learning. These are some of the points I think were most important:

• variety of uses: it can be used for a range of activities in the classroom. From demonstrations, to class games, for accessing internet, video and music resources across the entire range of curriculum subjects! 

• addresses the needs of all learners: through using the IWB we as teachers are able to address the needs of different kinds of learners through a single source. Visual, Audible and Kinesthetic learners can all be catered for through the use of the IWB. The IWB can also be effective in helping EAL and SEN children with their particular needs through the variety of ways it can be utilised in lessons; e.g using images for helping those with english as a new language and using audio and interactive elements for a child who is dyslexic or a child with ADHD who has difficulty concentrating on learning when sat still in a classroom.

• note to self: is it being used effectively? - one particularly interesting point we explored was the importance for us as future teachers to ensure that we are making the most out the IWB in lessons. Are we using the appropriate software/resources? In using the IWB are we enhancing the child's learning? Or is the IWB being used in a way that makes it no different at all to a normal whiteboard? Are we utilising this resource as much as possible? These are essential questions we need to ask ourselves when designing resources on the IWB and using them daily in lessons.

The Lesson Activity Toolkit:

We went on to look at the SmartBoard software itself. We learnt the basic skills for using the IWB, like how to use different pen functions, insert text and images and change background colours:

I was particularly impressed with the 'Gallery' section of the software, which had useful images for every subject area of the curriculum. I also liked the 'record the page' facility, which you could use to record how things changed on the whiteboard and how the resources were interacted with. This could be a really great way of assessing the effectiveness of the resources you have designed by playing the lesson back and watching how it was used, or actually in lessons to demonstrate the different stages of a process or skill.

We then, in groups, looked at certain interactive tools available through the software and how we might incorporate them in everyday lessons and shared our tests and ideas. Here are the 'lesson activities' we looked at:

• Magnifying Tool: where you can reveal hidden words/text by running a magnifying glass over them. I found this tool simple but incredibly effective; I can see it working as a great starter to a lesson!

• Page Recording:  this is the tool I commented on earlier, where you can record how the resources on the board are interacted with. This could be great to use in Maths when writing out a formal calculation step by step.

• Click to Reveal: this tool could be used as a way for checking what children remember of what they've learnt from a previous lesson. Button shaped icons are placed over answers to conceal them, and clicked on, to then fade and reveal the answer.

• Checker Tool: this was one of my favourite tools. It works by creating a question with multiple answers. Each answer is then dragged into the answer box until the correct answer is revealed. 

• Erase to Reveal: this is a tool where you hide pictures or text by colouring over them in the same colour as the background, only then to reveal them by erasing away at the screen. 

• Random Generator: this tool is used to pick or generate numbers or words at random. It could be used as a great maths starter where children have to relate something to the number generated.

• Pull Tabs and Grouping:  this is a very visual tool which involves hiding pictures or information from view by placing them just off screen attached to tabs, and pulling the tabs into the middle of the screen to bring them into view. This could be used in all sorts of lessons to introduce children to topics and ideas.

• Magic Tunnel: this less simple tool seems to be well worth the effort considering it's effect. It is essentially an optical illusion where you push a question through a cylindrical tunnel and pull out the answer on the other side. This is done by cleverly colouring the question and answer in two contrasting colours, and after some complex grouping of shapes, with the effect that, for example, the purple coloured font of the question seems to transform into the yellow font displaying the answer.

• Balloon Pop: I was part of the group which looked at this function.You can conceal an image or information with a balloon, writing the questions you want to ask on the balloon and tapping on it to reveal the answer to that question. We looked at it in the context of a Maths lesson: concealing the answers to questions about the number of sides a shape has. Here is a short clip of it in action:

I think overall we looked at some really interesting ways to start using the IWB. I can see the benefits of using one in the classroom;  it's exciting and engaging for the children, there are a wealth of resources and ideas for lessons and models of explanation to use without having to dig through a props cupboard only to find half the stuff you want missing. 

However, I don't think the IWB should replace real life experiences; handling a real snail, counting up numbers with real bricks, getting a bit mucky with real paint! 

But I can see some of the ways in which it can be invaluable in the classroom setting.

On a practical note, I think the software will take a little while to get used to; it did get quite fiddly at times, but I'm sure soon enough I'll get the hang of things! I'm looking forward to seeing what we do next with it!

Until Next Week!