<body><script type="text/javascript"> function setAttributeOnload(object, attribute, val) { if(window.addEventListener) { window.addEventListener('load', function(){ object[attribute] = val; }, false); } else { window.attachEvent('onload', function(){ object[attribute] = val; }); } } </script> <div id="navbar-iframe-container"></div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://apis.google.com/js/platform.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> gapi.load("gapi.iframes:gapi.iframes.style.bubble", function() { if (gapi.iframes && gapi.iframes.getContext) { gapi.iframes.getContext().openChild({ url: 'https://www.blogger.com/navbar/3397858515246816347?origin\x3dhttp://rinebabe.blogspot.com', where: document.getElementById("navbar-iframe-container"), id: "navbar-iframe" }); } }); </script>

Thursday, October 06, 2011

This blog entry is my reflection on the benefits and the limitations of the use on Interactive whiteboards in schools.


An interactive Whiteboard (IWB) is a large interactive display that connects to a projector and a computer. A projector projects the computer's desktop onto a large surface where users control the the computer using the pen, finger, stylus or other devices. The board is typically mounted on the wall or to a floor stand.


pic credit ( lubna.wikispaces.com)


Last week, Dr Sara Davis guest spoke at our tutorial class. She introduced the various functions of the IWB to us. I especially liked the activity on the lunar moons where we could use the special markers to write on the board. It felt as though i was playing with a giant IPHONE. It was interactive, touch-screen-like and user friendly.




Some beneficial functions that could be used with the IWB are:


  1. Running softwares that is loaded into the PC

  2. Notes or images on the IWB can be "captured" or saved easily

  3. Controlling features on the PC through the IWB, such as click, drag, pull etc

Basically, it felt like a smartphone, but in this case, its a smartboard! So it was easy to orientate and dictate the pages/ images/ document on the IWB. It was also cleaner than a whiteboard or a blackboard.



Pic credit : (ancarb.co.uk)


Children will defintely be intrigued by the IWB and it will definitely engage visual learners in a diverse classroom.


However, i feel that teachers should not place emphasis solely on the use of ict as ultimately, subject knowledge has to be delivered. Students should be able to learn better with the aid of such ict tools such as the IWB. Thus, teachers should teach according to the subject to be taught and see what ict tools can aid in teaching, not finding what subject that could be taught using a specific ict tool.


Teachers would need to go for workshops on how to use the IWB, Teachers would also need to be constantly upgrade themselves on the availabilty of softwares that can be run on the IWB. students would also need to be taught on how to use the software if the need arises.


The cost of such IWB might also deter schools from equipping ALL classrooms with it so most schools will most likely choose to install it in Computer labs. The teachers can easily select a student's PC and display his/her desktop on the IWB for class viewing and evaluation. Such functions cannot be used in classroom settings which only has a single PC.


I feel that the IWB is a fun ict tool that students can engage in fun learning.



|