Many
classrooms are now using interactive whiteboard systems. They create
interactivity with students and enable them to become actively involved with
lessons. It is important for teachers to become effective in using them since
they are becoming more prominent in the education world. Today, many teachers
plan their lessons and use interactive whiteboards while teaching. Today’s
lessons have transitioned from textbooks to digital lessons. Teachers have been
enthusiastic in adopting these boards; however, little research exists on their
effect on student knowledge (Marzano, 2009).
There are many companies that
provide sales for interactive whiteboard systems. Three of these companies are
found in schools. Promethean offers an integrated system that packages the
interactive whiteboard, learner response, lesson design and delivery software
and online support. SMART Board interactive whiteboards are common in business
as well as education. Mimio is a system that turns a basic whiteboard into an
interactive whiteboard by attaching the Mimio Teach Unit. For schools with a
budget, Mimio is a great option.
There are many effective uses for
an interactive board. The instructor is able to highlight, color, annotate, or
zoom in on important content. This enhances visuals for students and enables
them to closely look at material. It also imports pictures for instruction and
brainstorming, or collaborative writing. It also provides visual or auditory
feedback by touch. It provides classroom instruction and improvement of active
learning, classroom management, lesson organization and flow, and flexibility
in handling lesson materials. Research has also concluded that the use of
interactive whiteboards include increased efficiency, versatility, multimodal
presentation, and interactivity. It enhances interaction with the board or
peers and establishes an ability to draw learners’ attention and facilitated
learning and remembering using visual media.
There also many challenges to
working with interactive whiteboards. Some teachers may not fully understand
how to use interactive whiteboards. Additionally, they do not guarantee
proficiency. Technical issues could occur, and teachers could not be instructed
properly on how to fix them. This could cause glitches in time and in lessons. Students
with visual impairments could also be impacted by these interactive whiteboards
and may find challenges in seeing them. With proper training and planning,
however, teachers could find interactive whiteboards useful.