Interactive whiteboards, commonly known as IWBs, are the newest and most talked about technology in the classroom. They have the ability to provide a new level of interactivity for students in the learning process. I found the value in IWBs by learning some key facts about what IWBs are and what they are not!
One of the most important points that I learned is that IWBs are not a magical key to better education but rather a valuable tool that is only as good as the teacher using it. That means a number of things. First of all, it should not be a crutch for teachers to replace quality class preparation. Also, without proper instruction on how to use IWBs, they can easily become nothing more than a projector...which nullifies the unique benefits of the technology. In fact, if not used properly, the studies show that IWBs do not have the ability to improve student achievement.
While IWBs cannot provide student benefits if not used properly, they have a profound impact on the classroom that makes good use of them. I love the fact that this interactive technology allows for the simultaneous engagement of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. With IWBs, teachers can touch a wider variety of learners while quickly and efficiently accessing pictures, activities, and online resources that are relevant to their students. No matter what the budget of a school may be, there seem to be options for everyone. There are student response systems that can be purchased for additional interaction between the teacher and the student, allowing the teacher immediate access to a classroom's learning and progress. Even if the school is on a tighter budget, there is a Mimio Teach system available that turns an ordinary whiteboard into an interactive whiteboard.
IWBs are an exciting option to benefit children in today's tech-savvy world. With that being said, each teacher needs to remember that it is still only a tool. Any tool is only as good as the person operating it!
