| A
whiteboard can be used in a similar way to a traditional chalkboard.
However, it also enables teachers to deliver lessons interactively
using a variety of media, including colour visuals, presentations,
video clips and the internet.
In addition, a whiteboard enables children,
as well as teachers, to manipulate text and objects and make
calculations on screen; such interactivity can be highly motivating.
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The advent of the interactive whiteboard can
be said to have revolutionised the teaching of modern languages
and revitalised the approach of those who use it on a regular
basis. Used effectively, the board is not a replacement for
tried and tested methodology, but an addition to and enhancement
of traditional teaching approaches.
The first thing you need to do is to find
out which type of board you have in your classroom or department.
Each interactive whiteboard (IWB) has its own type of software
that is used to create activities and for presentation.
Once you know the type of board, you need
to have access to the software. You can find information on
the software for your board on the following websites:
* SMART Board: SMART Board Notebook software
* Promethean board: ACTIVstudio 2 software
* Hitachi StarBoard: Starboard software
* RM Classboard: Easiteach software usually comes with the
board, although Easiteach is generic and can be purchased
and then used with any type of IWB.
The next step is to have the software available
on the computer where you do most work or where you will be
working through this course from. It could be your home PC,
a laptop or a computer at school. You need to ask your ICT
technician for a copy of the software and install it, if it
is not already on the computer.
When a school buys an IWB, the software comes
with it free of charge and there is normally a licence for
around five other computers to have the software installed,
so this is perfectly legal.
You will also need a way of transferring files
that you have created to the computer attached to your board.
The best way of doing this, as the files may be quite large
with lots of clip art, is to use a pen drive. These go into
the USB port at the back (or sometimes front) of a computer
and can hold a huge number of files. They can be purchased
from around £20 from a PC store or ordered through your
ICT department.
It is unlikely that you will actually be creating
materials at the computer attached to the IWB. However, at
some point you should make sure that you have an opportunity
to practise with the IWB (with no pupils!) so that you can
familiarise yourself with using the tools and the pen or your
finger with the board, and so that you can get used to standing
next to the board with the projector on.
When using the board with the projector,
get used to standing next to one side of the board, so that
you do not cast a shadow over it. This is also important because
if you stand for too long in the glare of the projector you
can get headaches.
It is also important not to look directly
into the projector’s lens when it is on, as research
has shown that this can damage the outer retina of the eye
if it is any more than 20 seconds.
For your pupils, be aware that for any pupils
who are prone to epileptic seizures, IWBs have been known,
on rare occasions, to trigger these. Finally, make sure that
your backgrounds are not white, as the glare from this can
cause headaches, but are pastel colours, which are much easier
on the eye.
What
is a Whiteboard ? | Interactive
Whiteboards In The Classroom |
Advantages
Of Using An Interactive Whiteboard |
How
to use whiteboards |
Interactive
Whiteboard Tips | Buying
an Interactive Whiteboard | Interactive
Whiteboard Evaluation|
SMART
Board for Smart Teaching |
