What are interactive whiteboards?
Interactive whiteboards are large touch-sensitive boards connected to a digital projector and a computer. They are usually at the front of the class, in place of a blackboard or traditional whiteboard.
The teacher and children can work with the interactive whiteboard to move and change images, text and objects. With some interactive whiteboards you do this with your finger. On others, you use a special wireless pen.
The software allows the teacher to display lesson material in many different and appealing ways. Lessons are easy to save and use again, and can include sounds, video and animation.
How interactive whiteboards are used in school
Interactive whiteboards bring classroom teaching to life for all subjects and across all age ranges. For instance:
• in history, Year 1 pupils can rearrange photos into their correct order
• in science, Year 2 pupils can show the results of a survey of eye colour
• in literacy, Year 3 pupils can work together to experiment with text in creating a story
• in music, Year 5 pupils discover and discuss a range of percussion instruments
• in French, Year 9 students listen to and watch native speakers.
“By getting the children out to explain what they can do, you are helping them understand better.” Teachers TV
Benefits of interactive whiteboards
Their big attraction in schools is allowing whole classes to interact with the same content at the same time. Interaction is an important part of learning and can be much more powerful than just reading or hearing about something.
Interactive whiteboards have many other benefits, including:
• access to resource libraries with thousands of images and useful tools
• connecting to educational websites and online resources
• making it easy to edit, expand and change lessons
• repeating bits of the lesson so that everyone understands it
• saving work so the teacher has a record of what’s been taught.
Interactive whiteboards in practice
Interactive whiteboards can be used with many other types of technologies in schools. Take a look at the school resources to see how they are used in RE, art and craft, and maths.
