SIG Members

Jesse Loznak, Jennifer Loznak, Deborah Johnson

Title: Interactive Whiteboards: More than a Glorified Whiteboard  

Objective

The purpose of this Special Interest Group is to inform educators about the tools and benefits of interactive whiteboards for teaching and learning.  By the end of this presentation, teachers will:

• obtain the knowledge to compare and purchase the best interactive whiteboard to fit their needs.
• know how to utilize the various tools of interactive whiteboards.
• have the ability to access lessons and tutorials for interactive whiteboards.  

Pedagogical Background

In today’s classrooms, interactive whiteboards can have the stigma of being a “glorified whiteboard.” Many educators are unaware of all the features available on interactive whiteboards to enhance learning.  However, when properly incorporated into a classroom, the pedagogical value of interactive whiteboards is increasingly beneficial to overall student learning.  Below are the main pedagogical reasons for interactive whiteboards:

1. Interactive whiteboards allow classrooms to become “interactive!”  As the article “Interactive Whiteboards in Education” points out, this type of learning “facilitates active learning, not just passive reception of information.”

2. Interactive whiteboards allow for a multimedia classroom.  Whereas in the past lessons were based upon textbook pictures and texts, interactive whiteboards now allow for an integration of animations, video, audio,  and still images.   This instruction enhances cognitive learning as students working memory can make connections with not only the verbal presentation of material but also the visual presentation.  In addition, the visual element can highlight background knowledge on the content.

3. Interactive whiteboards are accessible for learners with visual or hearing impairment.  Lessons can be altered using the interactive whiteboard features to enhance student learning for this particular subgroup of students.

4.  Interactive whiteboard lessons are recordable!  Teachers have the ability to record their presentations for future use.  Students who are absent, or students with special needs, can review the lesson additionally at an alternate time.  Further, lessons can be e-mailed, posted, and used collaboratively with teachers to further analyze a lesson.

5.  Interactive whiteboards allow teachers to easily assess student learning.  Through different interactive activities and available clickers for interactive whiteboards, teachers can assess student mastery and content standards that need to be further explored in a quick and efficient manner.

Four Common Places in Education

Teacher

Interactive whiteboards give teachers a new dimension to teaching.  Teachers are able to instantaneously stream from the Internet for the class to see and make lessons more interactive than the chalkboard or overhead projector.  In order for teachers to begin making lessons, they should have a basic understanding of Microsoft Office and Paint, or any other similar program.  Additionally, teachers should be able to surf the Internet and find resources to support their content.  Teachers will also benefit from training by the company or school or by setting up a Professional Learning Community within the school about the interactive whiteboard.  

Student

Interactive white boards make lessons more engaging for students and bring the Internet and other educational programs to the classroom so that it is accessible to all students from their desks.  Interactive white boards are ideal for demonstrating problems with manipulative for the tactile learner or showing how things work for the visual learner.  They are able to meet the needs of more learning styles than chalkboards.  In order for students to interact with the whiteboards during class, they must treat technology with respect and know how to use the “pen” and other features  when coming to the board to participate.  

Subject Matter 

Interactive whiteboards are used  for all subjects but the focus for this project is on math and science.  This includes lessons and resources that can incorporate math and science together or individually.  

Context

Teachers are usually restricted to where they can use an interactive whiteboard by where it is located.  Most boards are in the classroom but computer labs and media centers are also known for having them.  The goal is to fuse together the interactive white board tools along with resources provided by the Internet for a more interactive lesson for the classroom.

Individual SIG Member Focus

Purchasing/Comparisons (Jesse)

Synopsis of current interactive whiteboard vendors.

• Background Information
• Evaluation Sheets
• Articles

Tool Tutorials (Debbie)

Explanation of available tutorials for using interactive whiteboard tools.

• Websites
• Videos

Tools for Interactive Boards

Useful tools for interactive whiteboard learning:

•  Internet Streaming (Debbie)

• Discovery Education
• BrainPOP
• TeacherTube
• Simulations

• Clickers (Jesse)

• Assessments
• Interactive lessons
• Sharing information

• Recording/Pictures (Jennifer)

• Recording lessons for video sharing
• Capturing pictures

Lesson Banks (Jennifer)

A description of content specific lessons for interactive whiteboards.

• Websites

Methods for Sharing SIG Proposal with Ed Tech Community

1.  Twitter (our SIG will be shared using the hastag #CEP810G2)

2.  MACUL Space 

3.  Personal Blogs (link to this proposal provided on sites)

4.  Presentation: Google Presenter

5.  Could be published through a blog site for Internet viewing.  

Resources

Annotated List of Resources