Interactive Whiteboards

With the push for all classrooms to be 21st Century classrooms, many school systems have installed interactive white boards (i.e. Smart Board) for teachers to use in their classrooms.  There are many benefits of using interactive whiteboards (IW), for both teachers and students, but I feel like there have been some problems getting teachers to use their IW, which is probably tied to the amount and/or quality of training they have had.

Benefits of Using Interactive Whiteboards according to Smart Technologies Inc.

• Makes Class Interactive - Students are able to participate and interact with curriculum.
  
• Motivates Students - Students that may not usually answer questions are more willing to participate in an intearctive game that covers the same information that oral questioning covers.
  
• Addresses the Needs of Diverse Learning Styles - Visual learners are able to diagram and ineract with class notes.  Kinestic learners are able to physically get involved with learing specific learning concepts.
• Students Review at Their Own Rate - Whether reviewing a concept of a unit of study, students do not need special training to be able to use the notes/games that have been created.  This frees up the teacher to help individual students.
  
• Teachers Can Save Notes - Any lesson created using Smart Notebook software can be saved, along with any notes made during a lesson using any type of software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, etc.).

Solving Potential Problems

• Interactive Whiteboard Lesson Exchange - Teachers can share the lessons they have created with their PLC members and other teachers.
• Teachers Report How They Use Interactive Whiteboards - Once a month, teachers are required to submit to their department chair how they use their IW in their classes.
• Provide Adequate Support and Training - Current training includes only how to use an interactive whiteboard and some short cuts.  Teachers need more training and support in using the software to create interactive lessons.

Links to Resources for Teachers

• Smart Notebook 10 Tips & Tricks Training
• For teachers who need additional training in how to create interactive lessons.
• Smart Notebook Exchange
• For teachers of all subject areas to exchange lessons they have created.
• Teacher Online Training
• For a small fee, teachers can learn more about how to create better interactive lessons.