IWBs in the classroom Pedagogy

Descriptive Reflection:

Interactive white board is a new technology. It is a presentation system that connects a computer to a projector and screen. Teachers by using IWBs are able to present their lessons to engage modern students by getting those students involved. Students are able to come to the board and manipulate objects, which adds interest to the lessons.

 Introducing an interactive whiteboard (IWB), which learners can use interactively during whole-class teaching may offer new opportunities for publicly expressing their ideas, not only verbally, but using graphical and other representations. Hence they can more easily articulate scientific knowledge and receive teacher (and peer) feedback. IWB provides collaborative opportunities for reasoning, hypothesis testing and

interpretation that go well beyond those afforded by more established classroom device.⁽¹⁾ Interactive whiteboards have become popular over the last few years. It became a must-have tool.

Critical   Reflection:  

It was the first time I use an interactive whiteboard. First, we learned about how to present an interactive lesson for the students. I learned many new things about using colors, pictures, videos and graphs in an effective ways. I learned a new program called activinspire  to create lessons which I will be able to presented  it using IWB. After I learned about this technology I have an own opinion about using it.

 I think teachers would not have better lessons if only they have an IWB in the classroom! Originally, my thoughts were that the bells and whistles of the IWB would directly affect the student’s learning. There is no consideration given to the effects of the board being used inappropriately, its underuse, unavailability of an IWB or even having one and not using it. In SQU and many schools around the country there are unused IWBs because there is no awareness about using it and the teachers need to learned how to use it in an appropriate ways.

IWB’s are very important in classrooms these days. Using it make the delivery of the contents be more speed and realistic. This is very important for the students as they need to be able to relate what they learn in the classroom to the real world. This will let them have many experiences with various technologies which will allows them to be further stimulated on their interest and knowledge in a particular field.

Whether the IWB is seen as interactive or entertaining, there is no doubt that our students learning environments can be greatly enhanced through its use. Additionally, it is important to note that the students learning outcomes will greatly affected by the teacher’s knowledge of the technology and their ability to reflect and improve upon their use of the technology.

I highly recommended that the Ministry of  Education put a plan to teach the teachers  about the IWBs and how they can use it.

Finally, IWBs are like any other technology tools. It has the advantages and disadvantages but the good adopter who know how to use it in the effective way. Every day we have to learned new things in technology because if not we will not be able to be in update in new technologies!

 Read about my experience in designing advance interactive activities using IWBs here:

 

http://bookloverworld.blogspot.com/2013/04/designing-advance-interactive.html

 And here is me and my group lesson using activinspire:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1M92ebMBBcPZnBpUzdjVDVHYk0/edit?usp=sharing

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Reference:

(1): Hennessy, S., Deaney, R., Ruthven, K. & Winterbottom, M. (2007) Pedagogical strategies for using the interactive whiteboard to foster learner participation in school science, Learning, Media and Technology, 32:3, 283-301