Interactive whiteboards (IWB)

Reviewing the literature on interactive whiteboards (Beauchamp, Higgins and Miller, 2007) was this week's reading. Not only did it raise an interesting discussion in class but this reading also got me thinking too. I remember last year on prac, the only interaction I had with the Interactive white board was for playing games or marking the roll. the reading raises the issue that some teachers use the IWB for everything such as lessons, videos and interactive games whereas some uses them as a normal white board or don't use it very much at all. Why is this? Why is there such a difference from classroom to classroom? could it be that some teacher's find it difficult to integrate the IWB into lessons, has the technology been difficult to use or has there not been enough training? I guess the answer is subjective and I will find out with more experience using it. Beauchamp et al., argue that the IWB needs ongoing support and training (p. 218)

Students in my class argued that they were unsure whether children had equal time and use of the technology. Most of the attention were usually focused the one child who would get picked to answer a question, write something or click on the correct answer. The question is whether the rest of the children were still engaged while this was happening. How can teachers allow for whole class learning?

In my own experience, teachers' attitude towards the IWB and new technologies varied. Some were unwilling to incorporate new methods of teaching because they argued that the technology often failed, required maintenance or changed the way teaching used to be. Others were more open, used the IWB to engage and motivate students with the content and didn't just use it as a normal whiteboard or a device to show information. I wonder when all teachers will come to view the IWB in a more positive light. It is after all, a very powerful tool that facilitates and supports meaningful learning with the ability to engage and motivate students when used correctly and purposefully. 

For a start, let's all keep an open mind because inevitably technology is and will continue to impact on and challenge our teaching.

Higgins, S., Beauchamp, G. & Miller, D. (2007). Reviewing the literature on interactive whiteboards. Learning, Media and Technology, 32(3), 213-225.