Interactive Whiteboard for better teaching
By Shruthi Balakrishna, New Indian Express
July 24, 2006
Bangalore, India
Bangalore, July 24: It’s going to be more fun learning in classrooms. The traditional blackboards will be soon replaced by interactive whiteboards, which will enhance concentration among students and also help them to learn concepts using technology.
These user-friendly boards have large touch screens, connected to a computer and projector. The computer images are displayed on the board using projector, and users can control software both from the computer and board. The students and teachers can operate the programs on the board using finger or a highlighter pen as mouse. The students can also perform various tasks such as write notes, draw, solve mathematical problems and also browse websites. Moreover, the work can be saved and printed.
With the help of this technology, the subjects can be taught in an interesting manner. For instance, a story-telling session can be made interesting by adding video or animation along with audio, graphics and coloured texts. The use of these features in explaining a subject, holds the attention of the students. In addition, one can write over the applications, websites and digital videos on the screen.
Besides, one can select and move the items on the screen. For instance, a student can select a picture or word and move it on the screen. By doing so, a student not only experiements and plays with the object and also performs tasks like grouping, re-ordering and matching.
Other salient features include maps of various countries, blank music, geometrical shapes, protractors and also space images. A gallery is provided where over 5,000 images and templates can be stored apart from creating and organizing notes.
Initiated by SMART Technologies Inc, the whiteboard has been already implemented in some schools in the City and in the country by Visionaire India. According to S Shalet Crasta, marketing Coordinator, these whiteboards have proved highly beneficial to students.
"The board can accommodate different learning styles. Tactile learners can be benefited from touching and marking on the board, audio learners can have class discussions and visual learners can see what is taking place on the board.” She explained.
Carmel High School computer science teacher Cynthia Pereira said that she has witnessed tremendous improvement in students after using this technology. “Students find these classes enjoyable and interesting, as they work on their own using the screen. Moreover, I can update information on the subject and save it for the classes,” she said, adding that the whiteboards are largely used for computer science and art classes in primary section.
Even though this is an expensive device, implementation of one system can serve a large section of students, said Shalet.
- Interactive whiteboards are touch sensitive screen and connected to a computer
- Finger or a pen can be used as mouse to navigate websites
- Lessons and notes can be saved
- One can select and drag the objects on the screen
- One can write over any application, websites and digital videos