Operating ICT- Interactive Whiteboards
As part of the Queensland
Government Smart Classrooms Framework the Thinking Digitally strand offers a
number of sub categories that can aid in the teaching of Information Communication
Technology (ICT) in the classroom. One of these sub categories is Operating
ICT, which focuses on the use of emerging ICT within the classroom, and how
students operate these technologies to enable them to engage in their learning.
An example of an emerging ICT within the Operating ICT category is the technology
of interactive whiteboards, which are now readily available in most school
around the world.
As a group member presenting to
the class about this topic I was able to share a brief background, the many
uses, a number of benefits, and also an example lesson for an interactive
whiteboard. After much research into the topic through online searches and
having the opportunity to use one on my practical placement I discovered that interactive
whiteboards are now used in many schools as an alternative or replacement to
the traditional chalkboards or whiteboards. They offer a wide range of
practical educational lessons and activities for students of all ages.
There are a number of benefits
for using interactive whiteboards in the classroom. They allow teachers to
incorporate the elements of the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge
(TPACK) where “the
expert teacher needs to make creative links between what is being learned
(content), how it is taught (pedagogy), and the appropriate tools (technology)”
(Teaching Teachers for the Future, para.4, n.d.). Teachers are able to use the technology of the interactive
whiteboards to teach a number of different content areas such as, math,
english, and science. The use of interactive whiteboards in the classroom also
allows students to develop their technological abilities through the
interactive activities and lessons developed for each content area. This allows
for a greater overall understanding of the content delivered and facilitates
group learning and teaching.
Although I have not had the
opportunity to spend much time getting to know all of the features of the
interactive whiteboard I will endeavor to use this technology in my future
lessons. I believe that the interactive nature of the whiteboards is extremely
beneficial for student learning and development. Learning with an interactive
whiteboard is “more fun, more engaging, more exciting and is impacting on the
enjoyment, speed and depth of learning” (Lee and Boyle, 2003) of students.
The use of interactive
whiteboards in the classroom has already had a profound influence on what we
teach and how we teach it. The activities and lessons are endless and offer
students an interactive and interesting view on the information being learnt in
the classroom. I am excited to see what new and engaging lessons are still to
come.
Reference:
Lee,
M., & Boyle, M. (2003). The Educational Effects and Implications of the
Interactive
Whiteboard Strategy of Richardson Primary School: A Brief
Review.
Retrieved April 5, 2012 from
www.richardsonps.act.edu.au/RichardsonReview_Grey.pdf.
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