Culminating Summary-SMART/Interactive Boards.
Culminating Summary- SMART/ Interactive Boards
Interactive whiteboards definitely are beginning to play a major role in providing teachers and students with access to different ways of teaching and learning within the classroom. SMART boards are so interactive, allowing students to ‘get involved’ and have very hands-on learning within the classroom. It is beneficial to children, allowing them to engage in the visual, auditory and kinestetic features the interactive whiteboard offers. The interactive whiteboard is effective as teachers begin to think and be creative in the way that they deliver their lessons. Many teachers may need to learn new techniques and skills at events such as in-services, in order to know how to best plan their lessons using the interactive board. Learning new skills for the interactive whiteboard may be time-consuming and may be very expensive however it is very worthwhile as the interactive whiteboards have proven to be a very effective teaching tool reaching many students’ different learning styles/needs. I believe, that in order for the interactive whiteboard to be effective in schools, there definitely needs to be a whole school approach, whether it be one teacher teaching with the interactive whiteboard or whether all classrooms have them, there needs to be support and the sharing of ideas and new findings. Teachers need to know that they are not alone, that there is help and support from colleagues.The features on the interactive whiteboard, such as the coloured pens, fingertip control, the eraser, the software and the immediate connection to the internet is useful in all classrooms within the school and can be used to teach all KLA’s, for example Music and Maths. Using the interactive whiteboard with special needs students can help to develop their confidence and self-assurance within the classroom.
I feel that interactive whiteboards should not entirely take over from using a whiteboard/blackboard or from using pen and paper, it is still important to take into account that some children may not learn as well while using the interactive board and it is important to cater to these children. There definitely is a time to use the interactive board and a time to not use it. It is however, an invaluable piece of technology and does effectively introduce new technology to children and the teacher.
I do hope that within my future teaching career I am able to get my hands on an interactive whiteboard. I hope that I will be able to manipulate and develop exciting lessons using the different features on the interactive whiteboard. I would be keen to learn the different programs and the ‘ins and outs’ to reach the children I teach. I want the children I teach to be interested and eager to participate and I feel that the interactive whiteboard would cater to this. I want the children I teach to interact with technology in new and exciting ways!
Reference List
Baker, J. (2007). Smart Board In The Music Classroom. Music Educators Journal, 93 (5), 18-19. Retrieved February 18, 2008, from Teacher Reference Centre Database.
Bayne, P. (2007). Interactive Whiteboards: Improving Teaching. Teacher183, 28-30. Retrieved February 25, 2008 from Aplus Education Full Text Database.
Diehl, J. (2oo5, September 14). EME Students Get Leg Up. Newszap.com. Retrieved February 27, 2008 from http://www.newszap.com/articles/2005/09/14/dm/sussex_county/post04.txt.
Halford, B. (2007). Interactive Whiteboards: The Future Is Already Here. The Australian Educational Leader 29, 40-42.Hollis, J. (2008, January 5). SMART Boards in Action: Commentary. Teacher Tube. Retrieved February 20, 2008 from http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=66b8fe9be8a7fe2ee006
Layman, M. (2008, January 1). Smart Boards In The Classroom-1. TeacherTube. Retrieved 19 February 2008 from http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=22ae77246d592fe4f6d7
Starkman, N. (2006). The Wonders Of Interactive Whitboards. The Journal, 33 (10), 36-38. Retrieved February 18, 2008, from Computer Source Database.
Thake, L. (2002). Get Smart…Get Interactive. Classroom, 22, 20-21. Retrieved 26 February, 2008 from Aplus Education Full Text Database.
Villano, M. (2006). Picture This! The Journal, 33(16), 16-20. Retrieved February 18, 2008, from Computer Source Database.
