Technology & Learning - April 2009 - (Page 35) W W W.T E C H L E A R N I N G . C O M Perhaps no piece of technology generates as much enthusiasm as the interactive whiteboard. Stories abound of teachers working on weekends to plan lessons and of formerly uninterested students improving their skills. According to Futuresource Consulting, just about 20 percent of all K-12 classrooms have an interactive whiteboard, with 300,000 units sold in 2008. Today there are more companies producing whiteboards than ever before, and many have been developed with the classroom in mind. Our chart will help you determine which will produce the right interactive experience for you. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE WHITEBOARDS? “The packaged software works wonderfully and can be used with anything on the desktop. The smart notebook tools, such as the magnifier and spotlight, help teachers navigate.” WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT THE WHITEBOARDS? “This is nitpicking, but the latest version of clicker software forces you to reinstall Notebook 10.” HAVE TEACHERS INTEGRATED THE WHITEBOARDS SUCCESSFULLY? “The K-8 teachers are doing an especially wonderful job, but the high-school teachers are taking a little longer. If the board is in a class, the teacher is more apt to incorporate it.” ANY ADVICE FOR SCHOOLS THAT ARE CONSIDERING WHITEBOARDS? Mount them permanently if it’s affordable, as you’ll get more usage. “Giving support and training, along with the time to play with it and figure out what this button does, is the key.” “Teachers can present a concept in two or three ways,” says Seidenberger. “With staff development, they can create terrific lessons.” Says Mohn, “Teachers can capture a lesson at the end and share it.” “Technology with all whiteboards is limited because you must project onto the board, which can cast a shadow,” says Mohn. “Every teacher is using them,” says Seidenberger. “We’re developing a district Web site where they can share ideas. There’s a lot of informal staff development, which we advocate for.” Seidenberger says, “To use these to their potential, teachers need encouragement and guidance.” “The whiteboards must work seamlessly. For us, that means they’re always mounted, calibrated, and on,” says Mohn. Jarman has several students with ADD and learning disabilities. “Students love coming up to the board and being involved in the lessons. It is colorful and exciting, even for the kids who can’t read.” “That’s a hard question. There are a few more tools they could add to the gallery, but there is already a lot of stuff.” “They have. I have a monthly meeting with mimio teachers where we share ideas. We share lessons on our wiki, too. Teachers—even the older ones—tell me all the time what they’re doing.” Jarman recommends using the training and resources the company provides. “Install the software on your home computer, so if you think of a lesson at night or on the weekend, you can work on it.” “For teachers in science, technology, and math, these boards are perfect. I’m a big proponent of whiteboards.” “A 4’1” student can’t use a wall-mounted board alongside a 5’10” teacher.” “It’s a home run. Our curriculum has simulations that are made for whiteboards. Right now, only our science and math teachers have them, but we hope to get them in all the classrooms soon.” “Talk with the teachers and principal to know what they need. Then work with the business office to determine total cost of ownership. Do that analysis among all competing brands to make your decision.” “With whiteboards, teachers have all the tools they need,” says Rumsey. “The whiteboards can adapt to it—even if they change their lessons on the fly.” “Like any technology, some teachers have a steeper learning curve and can get frustrated.” “Some teachers use them all day long. Our most seasoned teacher, who has been here 35 years, told me that last year was the most exciting year she’d ever had.” “We asked teachers to tell us why they wanted one and how they’d use it. A year later, they showed the rest of the teachers what they were doing. That’s the culture you have to create.” TECH & LEARNING | 35 http://WWW.TECHLEARNING.COM
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