Interactive Whiteboards- Are they worth it?
I've been negligent. No posts in a few weeks.
I had a conversation with one of Pennsylvania's most influential bloggers, Jim Gates, the other day. Our discussion, as it usually does, centers around current happenings in education technology. While it's not always the case, this time we agreed on the topic.
Interactive whiteboards were the topic of discussion. We spoke about the cost of whiteboards, the software requirements, connectivity, logistical considerations, and more. There is an undeniable "cool" factor that instantly happens in a classroom when a new whiteboard is introduced.
I have seen some very cool lessons involving whiteboards. What I haven't witnessed, on a regular basis, is a shift from the teacher-centered classroom. The whiteboard is typically used as a teacher tool.
At the elementary level, teachers often invite their students to interact with learning manipulatives. At the secondary level we most often see the whiteboard being used as a presentation device. Now I'm not suggesting that there aren't highly engaging activities that can be done. There are. But typically... it's a presentation device.
The cost, at $1100 - $1500 or more, is quite steep. There are cables and connectivity to consider. The boards are large and despite having a rolling stand, mobility is just not practical.
And the one that hits my school the hardest... locally installed software. With hundreds of teachers and a handful of techs, the continuous updating of locally installed software can be problematic.
What I'd like to see develop is (and I know I sound like a broken record) is web-based interactive whiteboard software!! Here's one that I've come to like and I hope you'll give it a try too. It's called Thinkature and it appears to have great potential. Upload your pictures, draw, comment, chat, INVITE OTHERS!
So with a $50 remote mouse and a web-based interactive workspace... homerun!!
There are other web-based spaces such as Skrbl but I've come to like Thinkature.
Tags:
Labels: interactive whiteboard, Internet, software, web 2.0, whiteboard
posted by Kurt Paccio @ 10:31 AM
2 Comments
Links to this post
2 Comments:
Kurt--
I agree that IWBs are often used as teacher tools and the kids REALLY need to be taught how to use it--how to stand so that they are not in the way of the light, how to hold the pen so they write without smearing...
BUT as classrooms move from more teacher driven to more student centered I think that these boards can be a really POWERFUL tool. How cool is it to have a student, teaching other students a concept---capturing what they teach using recording software and have them go back to evaluate what they do--YES interactive whiteboards ARE being used MOSTLY as a teach tool, but they can be SO MUCH MORE!!!
Kristin,
Thanks for visiting. We've seen the energy and the powerful lessons that are possible with whiteboards. We've seen that at the elementary level, primarily. We've not witnessed it as much from the secondary level.
I'm looking forward to some of the ways that IWBs can positively impact the teaching/learning process.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home