Interactive Whiteboard: Benefits in the Classroom

synergistic Whiteboard Benefits in the ClassroomIntroductionThe issues meet the custom of interactive whiteboards (IWB) and creative conceive ofing forms the focus of this examine. This argona proposes an opportunity to attainm at the interaction amid new technologies and carve uproom reality in the primary coil shallow setting, both(prenominal) in theory and practice. The essay starts with a brief overview of interactive whiteboards within the schoolroom setting before smell more closely at encouraging creativity both in tenet and learnedness.Teachernet (on pull in) credits interactive whiteboards with the benefits ofImproving understanding of new conceptsincrease pupil want and involvementImproving plan, pace and flow of lessonsTeachernet online, Interactive WhiteboardsAs Cogill (2003, p. 52) points out in her interrogation report for Bects/DfES on IWBs in primary schools, the uniqueness of IWBs lies in its design to be utilise by teachers for teaching at whole class level. Yet in found to achieve the goals quoted above it is clear that certain other systems need to be put in place, especially maestro development and teacher training. For example, as Barber et al. (2007) point out, it is vitally important for teachers to be confident and known with IWBs in order to workout them to best effect. They similarly need to devour a solid understanding of how to work with, and inspire, creativity and why (e.g. see Loveless 2002). To this end, and in agreement with official indemnity, there has been an upsurge in texts designed to help teachers work with IWBs. For example, Cooper et al. (2006) give a pragmatical description of how genius bathroom example IWBs within all teaching areas, from Maths to Reading. Craft (2000) also argues for the potential to economic consumption new applied science with creativity rather than succeeding(a) the view expressed by rough teachers that computers, far from stimulating or fostering creativity, both represent and do the exact opposite of this (Craft 200, p. 88). In creating space to social function technology creatively it would seem that the first stage is to take over their classroom use with training teachers both at pre-service level and done ongoing professional development.However, there is room for debate as to the depth of learning round of these formats inspire, seeming as occasionally do to seek to add pastime rather than enrichment to learning. Whilst the funding made available through official initiatives, such(prenominal) as the National Grid for Learning (DfES 2003 DfES 2001) has gaind schools to invest in new technologies, there is a need for systemic reward to happen the best out of it. For example Machin et al. found correlations between schools success with ICT and a fertile background for making use of it (2006 p. 12). More pragmatically, Yelland (2007, p. 163) is one who warns that non all software is positive for learning outcomes but so goe s on to argue, in common with Machin et al. that it is the pedagogies generated by these new technologies that mickle create issues. likewise Sutherland et al. (2004) warn that embedded use of ICT in the classroom abide prompt how knowledge is constructed. It is bearing this in mind that the following essay seeks to mark off between, and concentrate on, creativity and not on the range of pedagogies that fall between poor practice and what has been referred to as edutainment.It seems clear that IWBs rouse come through a fantastic support, especially for visual learners, and posses the potential to be employ to support and encourage highly creative interactive and educational learning environments through a grand range of class areas. The ability for both students and teachers to circumvent visual materials (e.g. occurs, words, pitures etc) via the IWB and interact with the information displayed has been credited withincreased pupil engagement, demand and enjoyment, all p otentially leading to improvements in pupil attainmentsJones Vincent 2006, p. 2However, research founds there is still considerable unfulfilled potential with the creative use of IWBs (Jones Vincent 2006 Smith et al. 2005). Creativity in itself has been viewed as essential for the progress of parliamentary procedure (Cropley 2001, p. 133) and the next section of this essay looks more closely at how IWBs can be used in a variety of creative contexts starting signal theory and exemplifying with practice.Learning, or cognitive, styles are traditionally divided into visual, aural and kinesthetic and, in common with Gardners (1983) Theory of Multiple Intelligences, substantiate what Craft (2000, p. 10) called a pluralist approach. This sum catering for the various slipway in which individuals best absorb information and make gist of it which in turn affects levels of student motivation. From the teaching perspective, creative planning is a means of overcoming individual barriers to learning and requires presenting information in a number of different ways. Cropley (2000, p. 148) saw this application of variety as encouraging creativity in students. IWBs ability to operate as a computer means that audio and video tracks, live websites and multimedia applications can be used to appeal to a range of students learning styles. Ideally, this engages their attention, thereby impacting on their motivation and encouraging creative thinking.IWBs provide an opportunity to link or encourage student gratifys in a actually visual and interactive way. The following takes an aspect of geography as an example of the ways that IWBs can kick upstairs and allow creativity of teaching methods. When teaching the water cycle, the IWB can be linked to any number of live weather cams and channels both in the locality and internationally and show real time weather. delineated re foundations of the water cycle can involve the students moving the pictures or labels into the seri ous order utilize the IWBs touch sensitive capability. Graphic re presentments of rainfall entropy or what if questions connected with changes in rainfall can all be presented on the IWB. The IWB allows questions to be investigated and extra dimensions to be added, such as a 3 dimensional view of a rain drop or the response to a question regarding the different forms of water solid (e.g. show ice cubes to glaciers), gas (e.g. show animated kettle boiling or a steam train running) or liquid (show rivers, seas etc). Notes can be added as the subject is discussed and saved for review the next time.It has been commented that, even as early as Key Stage 1, perception can be taught in too theoretical a manner (Charlesworth 2008). Yet in the Ofsted Success in Science report (2008), from which this information apparently derived, the use of an IWB is described as an effective component in a science lesson demonstrating how light works. The teaching strategies included whole class to sma ll throng work, role plays and investigative questioning with the IWB used make notes of the students ideas and aid learning (Ofsted 2008, Sec. 18, p. 16). Although how the IWB was used to aid learning was not actually described, the suggestion is that it was a valued means of contributing to lesson management, flow and effectiveness.Likewise in maths, the IWB can be used to easily display mathematical representations, be they numeral or conceptual, such as numbers or blocks on a clearly visible scale to the whole class. IWBs provide an excellent support to lesson modeling. This issue of visibility is clearly important and to be able to wrangle things such as small blocks or coins to a whole class so all can see has been mentioned frequently, such as one of the teachers in Cogills research into IWB use in primary schools (2002, p. 25). The DfES has produced and continues to do so Interactive article of belief Programs (ITPs) within the Primary National Strategy. For numeracy, these provide curriculum linked interactive programs designed to contribute, not take over, the lesson. otherwise methods include those demonstrated by Cooper et al.(2006) who show simple ways to add to the dynamics of the lesson, for example using games with clipart to play number line football on the IWB and so on. The important point is that the IWB works in combination with other teaching strategies, not at the expense of, or to the exclusion of, a balanced hearty-rounded teaching approach.Equally, the IWB is available to literacy and has an change magnitude array of supporting software (e.g. DfES ITPs). Cooper et al. (2006) exemplify the IWBs ability to provide students with focus through managing the amount of text visible and the method of presentation font size and type, highlighted, shaded, hidden, revealed, coloured etc. This adds a dimension to focusing on text formats, from punctuation to spelling and can be very useful in identifying difference for students and he lping the retention of information. At the same time, the IWB allows for connection to external media, for PowerPoints, video and audio clips, all of which add a dimension to the intended learning if used carefully.IWBs can also be used to create an inclusive environment for students with special ask. As with the font, size and colour changes mentioned above, for students who whitethorn have issues with eyesight or problems interpreting words, IWBs can be used to add a dimension of size and impact. For students who go up it hard to concentrate, the use of interactive, highly visible materials within their range of interest can easily be projected through IWBs, for example using cars as counters or horses as cursors. The ability to use the IWB to gather notes may also enhance assessment opportunities for the teacher and the savable nature of IWB notes means these are accessible when required in an easily usable format. All these elements not only add to the pace of the lesson and appear to add to the pace of the learning, they also add to the teachers resource bank both for teaching and evaluating progress.In essence, it is by chance in the area of ongoing professional development that the creative use of new technologies, such as IWBs, needs to focus. When the teacher is motivated and confident, then that comes through in the teaching tools. Indeed the research looked at for this essay has generally agreed with Wood and Ashfield (2008) that new technologies such as IWBs can provide excellent formats for creating and inspiring creative teaching and learning, yet these await on the teachers knowledge and ability to use the technology to achieve this. Becta supports this in its assessment of research and comes to the conclusion thatIn almost subjects, the more experience the teacher has of using the interactive whiteboard the greater the likeliness of positive attainment gains for pupilsBecta 2007, onlineCropley (2001) argued that creativity is dependent o n a wide range of factors, from cognition to personality, and this has to be considered within the context of the whole classroom environment. IWBs provide teachers with another means of teaching creatively through presentation in altered formats, especially when it comes to communicating with the class as a whole. However it is not alone in encouraging the creative skills of diverging (broad concept connections) and convergent thinking (focused concept connections) or in develop meta-cognitive thinking and accommodation, rather than assimilation, of information.In conclusion, IWBs have the potential to be used extremely creatively for both teachers and students. However, as with many new technologies, their use needs to be supported both by school policy and professional development. As it is likely that these technologies will continue to develop good during the near future, it is not decorous to teach the usage of specific technologies and think that is where it ends. Perhaps an ongoing mentoring program or collaborative approach to planning with a high IT content may help compliment act professional development. The same criteria apply to pre-service teacher training whereby familiarity with current IT needs to be support by an ongoing ability to develop IT capacity. From the students perspective, well planned and imaginatively used IWBs provide a stimulating, engaging and propel means of learning. It is clearly just as important to use this interface as a part of a holistic, well rounded curriculum as well as an area in itself and not enough to assume familiarity with contemporary technology without teaching it.ReferencesAudain, J., David, A., Flute, M., Fielder, S. Cogill, J (2006) You can use an interactive whiteboard for ages 7-11, ScholasticBarber, D., Cooper, L. 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