What is an Interactive Board?
Interactive Boards- An interactive board is a display board that looks similar to a whiteboard. The interactive board connects to a projector and a computer. The projector projects the image of what is being displayed on the computer’s desktop. Students or teachers can manipulate the interactive board using a pen, a clicker, or one’s finger. An interactive board can be mounted on a wall like a white board. An interactive board can also be on a stand with or without wheels.
What did I learn about Interactive Boards in classrooms?
I followed a few threaded discussions on Classroom 2.0 to learn more about interactive boards. I followed the threads Are Interactive Boards Necessary?, How are you Using Your Classroom SmartBoard?, and SmartBoard or Promethean? There is a lot of positive feedback regarding interactive boards. Many teachers and educational professionals say the interactive boards make classrooms more collaborative. Teachers also said that students get really excited about learning and get more involved in classroom participation. I enjoyed reading a 5th grade teacher’s use of interactive boards. He said he has his 5th graders make graphic organizers for reading, concept maps for Science, and almost exclusively for Math lessons. Some of the drawbacks of interactive boards that I learned about include; students become noisy, classroom management becomes a great challenge because of the students’ energy and excitement, and some teachers even commented that they feel as though the interactive boards make the teacher the focal point of the room because they stand at the interactive board and students are seated in their desks. I found the debate between SmartBoards, Promethean, and projectors to be quite interesting. There did not seem to be a clear-cut winner for teachers, rather, it seemed to be teacher preference. Many teachers posted opinions in support and in opposition to all products. I like that there is more than one option available for schools and teachers. I found interactive boards to be something that can enhance a classroom but there needs to be a style of classroom management that continues to work with the increased enthusiasm students may experience that may translate to a noisier classroom.
Hi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI research interactive white boards, too, and am curious as to what percentage of CA schools have them. I think they are a great tool, and hope I have access to them when I'm teaching.
I loved reading about all the information you were able to obtain from classroom 2.0 regarding interactive white boards. I hope to have one in my classroom someday!
ReplyDeleteI know you sub a lot, and wondered if you have ever subbed in a classroom that has an interactive board. If so, was it useful?
ReplyDeleteI think interactive boards are a great way for people to interact with one another. oh yeah and thanks for doing your work, so I could comment on your journal. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Christine,
ReplyDeleteIn my two years plus of subbing in grades K-12 I have only been in one classroom with a SmartBoard and the teacher didn't leave any plans for me to use it :( Not that I would know how but I have no idea how to use them!
Amanda :)
I'd rather have an interactive board in my classroom and learn to manage an overly enthusiastic classroom full of students rather than get by without one and have students falling asleep.
ReplyDelete