Interactive+Whiteboards

=﻿Interactive Whiteboards= Created by Monica Velez

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 * What is an interactive Whiteboard? || An interactive whiteboard is a piece of hardware that looks much like a standard whiteboard but it connects to a computer and a projector in the classroom to make a very powerful tool. When connected, the interactive whiteboard becomes a giant, touch-sensitive version of the computer screen.

Instead of using the mouse, you can control your computer through the interactive whiteboard screen just by touching it with a special pen (or, on some types of boards, with your finger). Anything that can be accessed from your computer can be accessed and displayed on the interactive whiteboard, for example Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, photographs, websites or online materials. Interactive whiteboards are used in some schools as replacements for traditional whiteboards or flipcharts, or video/media systems such as a DVD player and TV combination. Users can also connect to a school network digital video distribution system using an interactive whiteboard. Interactive whiteboards can also interact with online shared annotation and drawing environments in the form of interactive vector based graphical websites. There are now several studies showing the effect of interactive whiteboards on student learning.

Using special software included with the interactive whiteboard, you can also interact with images and text projected on the board: rearranging them, changing their size, colour, etc. This offers a much more interactive experience than using a standard whiteboard or using a data projector alone. In addition, some interactive whiteboards allow teachers to record their instruction as digital video files and post the material for review by students at a later time. This can be a very effective instructional strategy for students who benefit from repetition, who need to see the material presented again, for students who are absent from school, for struggling learners, and for review for examinations. Brief instructional blocks can be recorded for review by students — they will see the exact presentation that occurred in the classroom with the teacher's audio input. This can help transform learning and instruction. ||
 * What can you do with an interactive whiteboard? || A whiteboard in the classroom can be used just like a giant mouse for conventional whole-class teaching. What makes the whiteboard exciting is the manner in which the whole class becomes engaged, motivated and excited about the lesson. The students are able to interact with the materials and student participation increases.

Some of the uses of the interactive whiteboard include showing video clips from the Internet, practicing handwriting, manipulating and saving text, or graphic organizers from the board for future use, illustrating ideas and demonstrating software.

Why do I like interactive whiteboards so much? The following is a baker's dozen reasons for my enthusiasm.
 * 1) The interactive electronic whiteboard is great for demonstrations. In the survey, many technology teachers and specialists reported enthusiasm for the board in staff development or computer class to show students how to use a particular application. Because the presenter can run the application from the board, using his finger like a mouse, it is easy to show the important features of particular software. The ability to mark on the board by writing with the stylus or using one's finger makes it possible to point out important features of the program.
 * 2) The interactive electronic whiteboard is a colorful tool. Research indicates that students respond to displays where color is employed, and marking can be customized both in the pen and in the highlighter features to display a number of different colors. Width of lines can also be adjusted to add flexible marking choices.
 * 3) The board can accommodate different learning styles. Tactile learners can benefit from touching and marking at the board, audio learners can have the class discussion, visual learners can see what is taking place as it develops at the board.
 * 4) All ages of students respond favorably to board use. Interactive whiteboards were originally used in the business world for group meetings. As they have gained popularity in schools, teachers have reported success with the youngest learners through students in academic settings. My present use of the board for demonstrations with graduate library science students has been as satisfying as my previous use with junior high learners.
 * 5) Distance learning is an excellent setting for interactive whiteboard use. Since they can be connected for distance communication, they have value to users at more than one site concurrently.
 * 6) One-computer classrooms can maximize the use of limited computer access by using the whiteboard. Students can work together with individuals contributing at the board, other participants at the computer, and the group as a whole discussing the activity. While it is true that acquiring the board and the projector is an expense, the use of this set-up can be viewed as a cost-cutter when it makes it possible for one computer to serve multiple students.
 * 7) The interactive whiteboard is an excellent tool for the constructivist educator. Author David Johassen coined the word "mindtool" to describe devices or applications which encourage use of technology to encourage critical thinking in students. Attributes of mindtools include ease of use, group interaction, ready availability of software to be used. Since the boards can be used with any software, they are extremely adaptable for numerous uses and do not require acquisition of additional software. Their creative use is limited only by the imaginations of teachers and students.
 * 8) The boards are clean and attractive tools. There is no messy chalk dust or other by-product, which can limit use. While the board can be used with regular dry erase markers, it is more likely to be used with the electronic marking feature, which employs either stylus or finger, and thus requires no cleanup.
 * 9) Students with limited motor skills can enjoy board use. Because of large format, it may be easier for students to run programs by tapping on the board rather than mouse clicking. Also, teachers with young students report success having them write on the board with their fingers rather than the stylus.
 * 10) It is interactive. Users can be contributing directly by input both at the computer and at the board. The combination I liked best was for the teacher to be stationed at the computer, with students at the board and in the class offering suggestions and physically contributing ideas and actions. The interaction that transpires between the person at the computer, the users at the board, and the computer itself is a unique and very adaptable arrangement.
 * 11) It can interface well with other peripherals. I have used the board to display images both from a document camera and a video camera. With the document camera, the presenter can show an object such as a specimen and then mark on the board to point out features or label parts. We used the board with videotape of a sports activity, with the coach marking on the display as it occurred to show when and where players should have completed certain actions. Scanned images can also be shown to great advantage on the board and then written text added.
 * 12) The board is great for meetings are lessons where the participants need printed copies of the proceedings. At the end of a brainstorming activity, for example, copies of the resulting document can be printed and distributed, as well as be saved for future work.
 * 13) It is a kid magnet! I have participated in district technology fairs, PTO meetings, and other gatherings where I demonstrated use of the interactive whiteboard. Kids of all ages are drawn to the board. Adults who are first attracted by the novelty find themselves suggesting ways they could see it used effectively. Children just want to use the board at every opportunity. ||
 * Ways to use Interactive Whiteboards in the Classroom || * Save lessons to present to students who were absent
 * Create video files to teach a software application, a lesson, or as a review to be posted to the server or web. Example- How to create a graph in Excel or hoe to burn a projects to cds
 * Use the built in maps to teach continents, oceans, countries, or states and capitals.
 * Present presentations created by student or teacher
 * Have students create e-folios including samples of their work and narration
 * Digital storytelling
 * Teach whole group computer or keyboarding skills
 * Brainstorming
 * Take notes directly into PowerPoint presentations
 * Reinforce skills by using on-line interactive web sites
 * Creating a project calendar
 * Teach editing skills using editing marks
 * Use in the 6 trait writing process
 * Use highlighter tool to highlight nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.
 * Use it with Kidspiration or Inspiration
 * Teaching students how to navigate the Internet
 * Illustrate and write a book as a class. Use the record feature to narrate the text.
 * Use the Interwrite software to create lessons in advance at home or at school. Then save them for future use or to be shared with other teachers
 * Diagramming activities
 * Teaching steps to a math problem.
 * Have students share projects during Parent/Teacher/Student conferences
 * Graphics and charts with ESL learners and special ed students.
 * Teaching vocabulary
 * Electronic Word Wall
 * End each day by having students write one thing that they learned ||
 * Here are some Softwares you can download to use as a class on an interactive whiteboard. ||  || Notebook Lesson Activities (SMART Board files) || SMART Software Resources ||
 * EarthBrowser (shareware program) || Count Us In Games (Flash files) ||
 * Interactive Mathematics Projects (Flash files) || Priory Woods School Free Resources (PowerPoint & Flash files) ||
 * Jeopardy Games (PowerPoint files) || Jeopardy Games (PowerPoint files) ||
 * Jeopardy Games (PowerPoint files) || Classroom Games (PowerPoint files) ||
 * Whiteboard Resources (Windows SMART Notebook Files) || GoogleEarth (freeware program) ||
 * Whiteboard Tools (Flash and Java files) || DeafEd.net SMART Notebook Community Virtual Library ||  ||
 * Resourses: || []

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