Unit 1 - Introduction to IWBs
What is an Interactive Whiteboard?
An Interactive Whiteboard is both a display and an input device. It is a projection screen with a touch interface that provides users the ability to interact with the displayed elements. It can be thought of as a combination of both the computer monitor and mouse.
How does it work? |
Most Interactive Whiteboards use a pen to indicate when the user wishes to write on the screen (mimicking a stylus). The user can also manipulate elements on the screen with their fingers (mimicking a mouse). The video below demonstrates this functionality.
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What does the research say? |
Improved Student Achievement
With the adoption of Interactive Whiteboards in the past decade, there has been a growing body of research into the educational benefits of using this technology. Research indicates positive results with the implementation of Interactive Whiteboards in the classroom; "In general, using interactive whiteboards was associated with a 16 percentile point gain in student achievement." (Marzano, 2009). More details and a summary of research study can be found here Changes in Pedagogy "The research surrounding the use of IWBs leads one to conclude that the use of an interactive whiteboard is an effective means of reaching more students, keeping them engaged in learning, and providing regular intervals of interaction—all highly effective practices that improve instruction for even the best of teachers." (Kopp, 2013) Changes in Student Behaviour "Miller, Glover, and Averis (2004) noted in their study that use of IWBs shifts instruction from presentation to interaction and students’ focus away from teachers and onto content, making interactive whiteboard lessons more student-centered than traditional ones." (Kopp, 2013) The following report from Ontario's Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat highlights Illustrative Uses of Interactive Whiteboards as dynamic thinking tools |
Resources |
Depending on the brand of IWB your school is using, there are various resources and communities available to support teachers.
This tutorial will focus on two brands of IWB; SMART and Promethean. Resources for any IWBs generally fall under these two categories: software specific resources or generic interactive resources. Software specific resources
Generic interactive resources
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