An Understanding of Interactive Whiteboards

Despite hearing of the wonderful benefits of having an interactive whiteboard in the classroom, I have not yet encountered an interactive whiteboard at any of the primary schools I have been to. I thus was feeling a little ignorant on the subject so I decided to find a video that would help me to gain a better understanding of what you can actually do with these supposedly ingenious whiteboards. I came across a video titled Interactive Whiteboard Demonstration which gave me a brief and informative view on what you can do with an interactive whiteboard. The ability to use it like a touch screen where you were able to use a pen or even your finger to write on the screen amazed me!

The man who was providing the demonstration in the video claimed that “today’s kids are so use to more of an interactive lifestyle … so this thing [smartboard] helps to deliver the education and deliver the material in a way that they’re more use to seeing”, which I agree is very true. Unfortunately, this video didn’t really discuss the benefits of the smartboard in enough depth, yet after perusing Cathie’s posting titled Interactive Whiteboards in the Classroom, I learnt that they not only help “increase student motivation, enjoyment, engagement, collaboration and participation” but also to “develop positive attitudes and behaviours towards learning and increase student’s sense of positive identity.”. From hearing such optimism in relation to this creative invention, I look forward to using one in my future teaching.

Source: http://www.edtech.co.nz/Store/6/47/images/smartboard.jpg