In a pro-tech world, we are currently witnessing calls for a switch to tech devices in every walk of life. Education is changing in a big way. The remodelling of classroom culture started with the introduction of Interactive Whiteboards (IWB), a substitute for blackboards which is an integral element of a class. IWB is a decisive addition of educational technology in learning scenario. The IWBs have brought a major change in primary as well as secondary schools across the world and now it has entered Indian classrooms.
The IWBs basically engages students and teachers to have a one-on-one discussion and makes learning a memorable experience. These are interactive displays which is customized for subject teaching. It allows teachers to conduct a presentation and has an inbuilt software that displays online content incorporated with chapters or lessons in an innovative way. The IWBs makes learning an enriching experience with things like visual imagery, audio clip etc.
Some of the leading manufacturers of IWBs are Promethean, MIMIO, Smart Technologies, Specktron and RICOH India.
The interactive Whiteboard has a touch screen facility and it can be fixed on the wall or a stand. It acts as a computer screen and a special software is required for its working.
Teachers can display the learning materials on the whiteboard with the help of a projector connected to a computer. The lectures can be integrated with videos, images, music etc to get the attention of students.
Use of whiteboards in classroom
Enhances classroom lessons and the style of delivery
Teachers can engage students by conducting presentations or projects.
Can record lectures and students can have access to it in a teacher’s absence
Revision becomes easier
Animated diagrams or pictures would make children understand the concept thoroughly
It also lets teachers to conduct virtual field trips
There are even mobile whiteboards that comes with wheels which is portable. However, fixed whiteboards are mostly chosen by schools with a sizeable strength. The size of whiteboards varies from 16 inches to 8 inches or more.
The selection of these devices depends upon how one wishes to use boards in the classroom. If one intends to engage large number of students by using multiple applications, then a large sized one is the ideal choice. A desktop size is only needed to involve a small group of students.
Apart from size and model one must ensure that it has multi touch accessibility and active project dimension. It is important to have an attention to detail while selecting an Operating system (OS).
The IWBs have specially designed software only for the purpose of teaching and learning experiences. Software that supports touch and stylus pen are used for interactive discussions, presentations, lessons for specific topics for different subjects.
The IWBs allows children to dive into the world of different learning opportunities to explore on various pedagogical mediums or styles that best suits for the younger ones to enhance their thinking and emotional ability.
