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Interactive Whiteboards

(Above picture comes from http://didatticacolweb2.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/interactive-whiteboards2.jpg)

Do you have an interactive whiteboard in your classroom? Do you really know what it is and how to use it? Do you know that there are different brands of these electronic whiteboards? An interactive whiteboard is defined as:

An interactive whiteboard is a digital device capable of interacting with a computer and projecting images in a screen. This device is used for visual presentation in classrooms, workgroups and business meetings. An interactive whiteboard needs to be connected to a computer which generates the actual images or data which are then projected to the board. Most interactive whiteboards have keyboard and mouse functionalities, but some models are capable of whiteboarding functions like character recognition so notes can be written or recorded on the physical board itself (Techfaq.com).

The interactive whiteboard works by the electronic white board connects to a computer. The computer connects to a projector which projects the image onto the board. The whiteboard can be touched and manipulated with fingertips or with accompanying markers. SMART Boards is a brand name for one manufacturer of electronic white-boards. Interactive White Boards can be Front Projection or Rear Projection. Front-projections IWBs have the problem of the user's shadow obscuring the image on the board. Some front-projection whiteboards have the projector mounted on the top of the board which helps with this issue. Rear-projection units do not have this problem (Interactive White Boards).

There are also several types of interactive whiteboards out there and they include Smart Technologies, Numonics, Promethean, Polyvision, Mimio and eBeam (Interactive White Boards).

Here are ways to use interactive whiteboards in the classroom:

• Save lessons to present to students who were absent
• Create video files to teach a software application, a lesson, or as a review to be posted to the server or web. Example- How to create a graph in Excel or hoe to burn a projects to cds
• Use the built in maps to teach continents, oceans, countries, or states and capitals.
• Present presentations created by student or teacher
• Have students create e-folios including samples of their work and narration
• Digital storytelling
• Teach whole group computer or keyboarding skills
• Brainstorming
• Take notes directly into PowerPoint presentations
• Reinforce skills by using on-line interactive web sites
• Creating a project calendar
• Teach editing skills using editing marks
• Use in the 6 trait writing process
• Use highlighter tool to highlight nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.
• Use it with Kidspiration or Inspiration
• Teaching students how to navigate the Internet
• Illustrate and write a book as a class. Use the record feature to narrate the text.
• Use the Interwrite software to create lessons in advance at home or at school. Then save them for future use or to be shared with other teachers
• Diagramming activities
• Teaching steps to a math problem.
• Have students share projects during Parent/Teacher/Student conferences
• Graphics and charts with ESL learners and special ed students.
• Teaching vocabulary
• Electronic Word Wall
• End each day by having students write one thing that they learned (INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARDS IN THE CLASSROOM).

http://www.tech-faq.com/interactive-whiteboard.shtml

http://schoolcomputing.wikia.com/wiki/Interactive_White_Boards

http://www.fsdb.k12.fl.us/rmc/tutorials/whiteboards.html

Smartboards

(Above photo can be found at langlab.uta.edu/lac/howto/smartboard.html)

Smartboards are an interactive whiteboard that can enhance learning and instruction in our classrooms.
"Smart" is just the name of this tool/company, it is the brand name such as Kleenex is to tissue.

I like Smartboards because they allow students to become actively involved in the lesson, and not just sit there staring at a book.

Smartboards also have interactive websites that can be used in the classroom. You can find these websites at http://its.leesummit.k12.mo.us/smartboard.htm.


The benefits of using a SmartBoard in the classroom are:

1. The interactive electronic whiteboard is great for demonstrations....
2. The interactive electronic whiteboard is a colorful tool. Research indicates that students respond to displays where color is employed...
3. The board can accommodate different learning styles...
4. All ages of students respond favorably to board use...
5. Distance learning is an excellent setting for interactive whiteboard use...
6. One-computer classrooms can maximize the use of limited computer access...
7. The interactive whiteboard is an excellent tool for the constructivist educator...
8. The boards are clean and attractive tools...
9. Students with limited motor skills can enjoy board use...
10. It is interactive...
11. It can interface well with other peripherals....
12. The board is great for meetings are lessons where the participants need printed copies...
13. It is a kid magnet! ...

(Using Electronic Whiteboards in the Classroom:Benefits)

Promethean Boards

(Above photo is from http://sites.google.com/site/ctapvworkshops/_/rsrc/1227027297952/interactive-whiteboard-technology/Promethean_Activboard.jpg )

In my teaching experiences I have had the opportunity to use both a Smartboad and a Promethean board. In my current place of teaching I have a Promethean board. And I love it! It allows me to show PowerPoint's that I create to my class, I can show videos, pretty much anything I want since the Promethean board is hooked up to my computer. Also, I like how the sound is hooked up from my computer and Promethean board to a set of speakers in the ceiling of my classroom.

One tip that I can give you is to use the "No show" button on the remote. For the fact that when the Promethean board is on because students can see what you are doing if you do not hit that button on the remote.

The pluses of using a Promethean board in the classroom is, "the Promethean board allows us to meet our student's technological capabilities and our curriculum standards,while meeting their individual learning needs"(Gittner 2008).

Gittner also states that "the incorporation of this technology enables educators to "create, customize, and integrate text, images, quizzes and tests, web, video and audio content," so they can more easily enthrall students to inspire them to both pay attention and participate more readily in their own educations. It also makes it easier to accommodate several different learning styles. It also allows seamless integration of the Internet to the entire classroom, creating a truly "global", online classroom"(Gittner 2008).

I find that using the Promethean board it really captures the students' attention and keeps their attention. It makes it fun for them to learn because they are not just staring at a textbook and doing activity after activity.

If you want more information on Promethean boards you can visit: http://www.prometheanworld.com

Gittner, Mark. Promethean Board Poised to Revolutionize Education. June 4, 2008.