The Use of Interactive Whiteboards in the

Classroom

Gone are the days of the blackboard or even the simple whiteboard that may
be familiar to many of us from our school days. In their place the majority of
schools now have fully interactive whiteboards (IWB) in every classroom. Im
interested in the extent to which the IWB affects everyday teaching. Does
the IWB act as a support system to teaching that could still take place in its
absence; is it ever used for its own sake to the detriment of teaching or has
it revolutionised practice leading to new pedagogies? How interactive is the
IWB in reality?
Teachers are discovering or have already discovered the power that this
technology can have in a classroom. Some claim that IWB have had a
transformational effect on practice and can even help pupils to learn more in
a shorter space of time. Im not sure how true this claim is, however, in my
experience, so far, I have certainly observed disengaged pupils re-engaging
with their learning. The use of the IWB and involving the pupils in using the
technology and interacting with it can help to build the confidence of pupils
that may be reluctant to participate in class. As the use of technology can
have such a positive effect on classroom practice impetus is provided to
learn more and become even more effective in using technology in the
classroom. I certainly want to know more
So, what is an IWB and what can it do?

An interactive whiteboard (IWB) is a large interactive display screen that

connects to desktop or laptop. A projector projects the laptop or desktop
onto the board's surface where users control the computer usually using
either a pen or your finger. The board is typically mounted to a wall
The first interactive whiteboards were designed and manufactured for use in
corporate environments such as offices by Xerox Parc in 1990. They were
used in small group meetings around tables. Today the use of the interactive
white boards has developed and expanded and their potential for use in an
educational setting was soon recognised and popular brands now being used
in schools include Smartboards and Promethean. It is now believed that 1 in
every 6 classrooms around the world now have an IWB! Their use is now
common place in both primary and secondary school settings and a
pedagogy around their use and the potential impact that technology can
have on increasing learning is currently being researched. Please see this link
for further reading on pedagogical uses for smartboards
https://www.createspace.com/4677157. This link is also very useful for ideas
on IWB resources http://www.topmarks.co.uk/Interactive.asp.
Uses for interactive whiteboards may include:

Multimedia lessons and presentations including audio and video

Collaborative problem solving that involves the pupils and encouraging
interaction
The ability to showcase the pupils projects and presentations
Virtual field trips giving children an insight in to things and/or
experiences that are new to them
Documentation and recording of Pupil achievement/ evidence of pupil
progress

Benefits
The use of IWB is believed to increase group interaction within the
classroom: in my experience I have observed the capacity for IWB to
promote collaboration among pupils and enhance group discussion and
participation. They can be an effective tool for creating thought showers due
to the fact that notes can be taken on the board, shared and saved for later
distribution later. This is also useful for evidencing the childrens learning.
I have witnessed the use of IWB raise the level of pupil engagement in the
classroom; the children seem really enthusiastic about using the IWB and its
interactive nature supports a variety of different learning styles. Use can be
multi-sensory and is very hands-on. Research has also shown that writing
points up on the IWB when discussing and exploring ideas with your pupils
helps them to review and embed their learning. It has also helped me to
streamline my own planning and helps me to use my time in the classroom
more effectively. This gives more time over to supporting and scaffolding the
children and assessing their progress.
Criticisms
A June 11, 2010 Washington Post article notes that, "Many academics
question industry-backed studies linking improved test scores to their
products. And some go further. They argue that the most ubiquitous deviceof-the-future, the interactive whiteboard -- essentially a giant interactive
computer screen that is usurping blackboards in classrooms across America
-- locks teachers into a 19th-century lecture style of instruction counter to
the more collaborative small-group models that many reformers favor."
However, there are now collaborative interactive whiteboards that may
address this shortfall. The same article also states that according to Larry
Cuban, education professor emeritus at Stanford University, "There is hardly
any research that will show clearly that any interactive whiteboards will
improve academic achievement."
A report on interactive whiteboards from London's Institute of Education also
noted the following criticisms of IWB:
Although the newness of the technology was initially welcomed by pupils
any boost in motivation seems short-lived. Statistical analysis showed no
impact on pupil performance in the first year in which departments were
fully equipped.
Clearly, the IWB needs to be used in the classroom in the correct way.
Teachers should not focus more on new technology than on what pupils
should be learning. Technology should only ever be used to enhance learning
and the planning for that learning needs to have a strong rationale behind it
and should be well thought out. Technology should not just be used for its
own sake or as a substitute to enhance a weak lesson plan. The teacher still

needs to interact with the pupil and move around the classroom and should
not be tied to the IWB for the majority of the lesson.