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The Electronic Whiteboards have emerged recently and have made a tremendous impact in the learning environment in our middle school. This technology allows users to access countless resources aligned to teaching standards created by other professionals.Thornburg(2009) said that some of the newer tools had their genesis years ago and are just now coming into mainstream awareness. They were so expensive when we got them that many of our staff all over the district were anxious because so much money was being spent for this new technology. I agree with Dr Soloway's comment "That's part of technology, that's part of research, that's part of exploration. If you're not taking risks, if you're not making mistakes, if you're not failing enough, you're not taking enough risks" (Laureate Educations, 2009). I feel like this may be the case with these whiteboards. They have been in schools for so many years, however other emerging technologies complement this tool, and it seems that it is being used in more ways to help create knowledge.
The Whiteboards have an amazing capability to interact with the web and with the students, allowing them to actively become part of the lesson. However, one of the major problems with the boards has been the users. According to the Instructional Technology Specialist at my school, less than 10 percent of the teachers with whiteboards actually used them as they were intended to be used. Most of the instructors simply use them as projectors or as ordinary whiteboards to present information to students. Did we really spend thousands of dollars per classroom so teachers could show large screen movies and show lessons with large fonts? Many teachers use the things with which they are most comfortable and learning to interact with students through the use of this gadget has been at the bottom of many lists, creating a roadblock to its correct use and adoption by many.
The whiteboards have been known to improve engagement and motivation for autistic children and others who rely on touch and manipulation. This tool supports learning style accommodations and allows the teacher to guide the lesson as the whole class participates. The interactive capabilities, learner response systems, and large-screen video has contributed to the engagement of students and allowed them to become an active part of the class and students are more engaged in the learning.
The Whiteboards have an amazing capability to interact with the web and with the students, allowing them to actively become part of the lesson. However, one of the major problems with the boards has been the users. According to the Instructional Technology Specialist at my school, less than 10 percent of the teachers with whiteboards actually used them as they were intended to be used. Most of the instructors simply use them as projectors or as ordinary whiteboards to present information to students. Did we really spend thousands of dollars per classroom so teachers could show large screen movies and show lessons with large fonts? Many teachers use the things with which they are most comfortable and learning to interact with students through the use of this gadget has been at the bottom of many lists, creating a roadblock to its correct use and adoption by many.
The whiteboards have been known to improve engagement and motivation for autistic children and others who rely on touch and manipulation. This tool supports learning style accommodations and allows the teacher to guide the lesson as the whole class participates. The interactive capabilities, learner response systems, and large-screen video has contributed to the engagement of students and allowed them to become an active part of the class and students are more engaged in the learning.
This technology could be improved upon if school principals would support more professional development aimed at educating teachers the methods for using these boards in creative ways for classroom engagement. Teacher attitude will go a long way in the successful adoption and use in these boards, while training and support will go a long way in maintaining a great attitude.
References:
References:
Laureate Education, I. (Director). (2009). Multimedia
technology to facilitate learning [Motion Picture].
Thornburg, D. (2009). When is a technology
emergent. Lake Barrington: Thornburg Center.
