2. “Board with Teaching” by Tony Poulter
Continued 1
Continued 2
Reflection
o “The Wonders of Interactive Whiteboards” by Neal
Starkman
Continued 1
Reflection
o “Whiteboards Inc.” by Michelle R. Davis
Continued 1
Reflection
Helpful Hints
IWB Statistics
Conclusion
Citations
3. “An interactive whiteboard is a
large, touch-sensitive board
(various sizes available) which
is connected to a digital
projector and a computer. The
projector displays the image
from the computer screen on
the board. The computer can
then be controlled by touching
the board, either directly (with
the finger) or with a special pen.
There are a number of
manufacturers of interactive
whiteboards, offering a variety
of specifications and capabilities
at a range of prices. There are
basically two types of
whiteboard - 'hard'
(electromagnetic technology)
which require a special
electronic pen, and 'soft'
(resistive technology) whereby
the finger (or sometimes a pen)
4. Both central and local government funding are making it
possible for schools to get access to the interactive
whiteboards.
The two main and most popular companies associated
with IWB’s are SMART and Promethean. Their software
and hardware are cutting edge and have earned much
recognition.
Most any kind of software can be used in conjunction with
IWB’s, especially Microsoft Office.
IWB’s allow teachers to engage students more effectively
with just the touch of their finger.
5. Here is a list of some of the applications
that an IWB offers according to the
website:
“using web-based resources in whole-
class teaching
showing video to help explain
concepts
demonstrating a piece of software
presenting pupils' work to the rest of
class
creating digital flipcharts
manipulating text and practicing
handwriting
saving notes written for future use
quick and seamless revision”
6. This website was highly informative and easy to navigate.
You could click on different links within the website (like
Facts, Information, Research, and Applications) to learn all
of the many aspects of interactive whiteboards.
What I found most interesting is all of the research/studies
they included. Coming from a small rural school, I never
realized that more than 70% of schools had IWB’s in the
classroom since I had never been exposed to them.
I didn’t know that there were so many applications that an
IWB can utilize. Such apps as the flipchart and redrafting
text is amazing and seems to be quite simple to do.
I think that government spending on IWB’s is definitely a
positive expenditure and that teachers need to be willing to
get training to learn the new technology that is so useful and
beneficial in the classroom.
7. One teacher claims that IWB’s
are a great tool in the learning
environment. He says, “The
boards are a conduit to the
curriculum.”
In one school system with many
whiteboards, grades are up and
suspensions down.
Another teacher claims about
IWB’s that, “It’s created a unique
partnership between teachers
and students.” They can interact
easier and more proficiently.
IWB’s are easy to use, even for
kindergarteners.
PolyVision and Numonics’
software companies for the
whiteboards, created their
products for teacher and student
friendly use for better
effectiveness.
8. A concern for United States
teachers is that Europe is
ahead of them in their use of
IWB’s. They believe it is
important to keep up with
European schools’ whiteboard
technology implementation.
Software is more important the
board itself with lessons that
mirror the school system’s
standards.
Students having fun in the
classroom is most significant.
9. I thought this journal article did a great job of
discussing the entire topic of IWB’s and all of the
components that go along with it.
The fact that kindergarten students are able to utilize
the boards without difficulty is a great part of the
technology and a tribute to the software creators.
I definitely agree with the quote that the boards do not
change the curriculum in the classroom but rather aid
in the learning process.
I also think it’s great that the software companies work
hard to make it user friendly with lots of tools for the
user to maneuver.
10. In a high school Spanish class, the
teacher uses the IWB so that the
students get “hands-on experiences”.
Her students match pictures and
vocabulary words, visit Web sites, make
and play a music video, and they also
want to have videoconferences with
classes in foreign countries.
She says, “They would be bored to
tears if it was just me standing up in
front of them lecturing… This is their
native language. They speak
technology.”
A London company “predicts that one of
every seven classrooms in the world will
feature an interactive whiteboard by
2011”.
Pretty much any task a computer can
do, the IWB’s allow you to do in front of
the class… with more interactive and
more possibilities.
11. Many more European classrooms are
equipped with IWB’s than the United
States. “The countries headed in that
direction are the ones with a more
centrally financed form of education,”
says David A. Martin, the executive
chairman of SMART Technologies.
It’s becoming easier for United States
schools to purchase IWB’s because
technology prices are falling.
“Companies are also making their
interactive whiteboards more attractive by
developing libraries of ready-made
lessons to pair with their
products, organized by subject and age-
group and even aligned with individual
state standards.” Also, most IWB
companies have websites that allow
teachers to upload lesson plans and give
tips.
It really depends on the subject whether
12. This website provided some great insights that the
other two lacked.
I didn’t realize that certain subject areas wouldn’t feel
the need to use the IWB as much as others.
United States schools definitely need to step it up
when it comes to using technology in the classroom
the way that European schools do. It allows the
teacher and the students so many more capabilities.
It’s great that the IWB companies are giving teachers
such great resources to learn and do more with their
IWB’s.
I totally agree with what the Spanish teacher said
about technology being a student’s language.
Electronics are what our generation knows best so
incorporating that in the classroom is a huge
development.
13. Click here to view a link to a couple of the IWB companies’
resources for teachers.
This website has many tutorials and videos to help in operating
the IWB.
To get some tips from teachers about IWB’s, just click.
I discovered that "Using Electronic Whiteboards in your
Classroom“ is a great place to find IWB lesson plans for all
subject areas.
I found this YouTube video, created by an actual teacher, very
helpful in the basics of the IWB:
14. 200
150
100
% 50
0
Visual Aids
Improve Student
Retention Time to
Learning Explain Increase in
Improved
Complex Test Scores
Subjects
Reduced
When Using
IWB’s…
15. After reading these three articles, I have a much better
understanding about interactive whiteboards and the role
they play in schools.
I feel that our government needs to invest more money into
providing our classrooms with IWB’s. Not only are they
helpful for the teachers, but more importantly for the
students. Both parties can get involved in the lesson being
taught. IWB’s can be both educational and entertaining.
IWB’s are equipped with cutting edge technology and
software that makes using them as easy as possible. All of
the statistics are positive!
Incorporating interactive whiteboards in our classrooms
would be an immense benefit in many ways. I believe they
can improve and enhance classroom instruction and
learning. IWB’s will revolutionize the classroom in a very
positive way!
16. Poulter, T. (2009, March 26). Board with Teaching.
Retrieved August 1, 2009, from the btinternet Web
site:
http://www.btinternet.com/~tony.poulter/IWBs/iwb.htm
Starkman, N. (2006, May 1). The Wonders of
Interactive Whiteboards. THE Journal, Retrieved
August 1, 2009, from
http://thejournal.com/Articles/2006/05/01/The-
Wonders-of-Interactive-
Whiteboards.aspx?sc_lang=en&Page=1
Davis, M. R. (2007, September 12). Whiteboard Inc..
Retrieved August 1, 2009, from Education Week's
Digital Directions Web site:
http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2007/09/12/02board
