9 MINUTE READ
Interactive whiteboards have been available in some form since 1990, with the first being created by Xerox Parc and SMART Technologies following shortly after. Initially, they were used for small meetings and business offices but quickly transitioned to schools as their target market.
Through the years, these smartboards have developed in both functionality and efficiency. In this article, we will focus on some of the benefits of electronic whiteboards in the classroom for both teachers and students. While this is not an all-inclusive list of all benefits that electronic whiteboards can offer, it should provide some insight into the capabilities and reasons for the success of the industry.
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SKIP THE LINE:
Interactive Classroom Capabilities
Internet Connectivity
Reduces Long Term Costs
Compliments All Learning Styles
Easily Accessible Pre-Made Lesson Plans
In Conclusion
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When deciding on whether or not to budget for interactive displays in the classroom, school board members have a lot of considerations to discuss. Will there be pushback from teachers? What does the implementation process look like? Who will be there to answer questions for the teachers when they inevitably arise? How can lesson plans be re-structured to ensure easy adaptation for overwhelmed or understaffed classrooms? When is the best time of the year to implement a new system?
Luckily, many interactive display manufacturers and providers offer extensive answers to these questions either through their website or an in-person decision-making meeting. Smartboards offer a quick start-up, natural writing features, and an intuitive user interface, helping teachers create an immersive classroom environment in seconds without having to overthink the technology itself.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to teach directly from your laptop? With an interactive display, such as Promethean, the possibilities are endless. Ease of internet access while immersed in an interactive classroom setting allows for on-the-spot answers to student questions, continued research on the subject of study, access to the latest classroom essential apps, and much more.
With the use of internet connectivity, teachers can introduce relevant videos, audio clips, or even trending social media posts as examples of the material they are teaching that day. This helps to bridge the gap for auditory and visual learners. Students can also present as a group with digital content, such as relevant YouTube videos, linked directly in their presentation. With the growing accessibility the internet provides to younger generations, it is important to teach them how to find reliable information and self-educate well into their post-graduate years.
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Using interactive whiteboards over traditional chalkboards or whiteboards has the advantage of saving on markers and chalk in the long run. What many overlook is that schools do not provide classroom supplies, teachers do. 94% of all public school teachers spend personal funds on classroom supplies. Although the amount varies based on school classification, community type, instructional level, among other factors, the average amount spent per teacher was $478 as of the 2014-2015 school year.
Chalk and markers may not be on the top of the price list, but interactive whiteboards have also proven to reduce paper waste within classrooms. In the United States, paper is known to be one of the highest costs for schools, and electronic whiteboards have helped many schools begin the switch to digital.
It has historically been theorized that individuals retain information and learn subjects differently. One of the most common categorizations of learning styles is Walter Burke Barbe’s learning modalities. Visual learners makeup around 65% of our population and connect with teachings presented as pictures, shapes, PowerPoints, videos, graphs, and illustrations. Auditory learners on the other hand prefer learning from podcasts, group and one-on-one discussions, rhythms, tones, or videos. Only 5% of the population are kinesthetic learners, often overlooked in the classroom. These students learn best through gestures, body movements, object manipulation, or interactive digital content.
Interactive whiteboards can assist in creating a classroom that is inclusive of all learning styles. For example, a teacher would have the ability to play a video with interactive content at the beginning, middle, and end that allows for students to come to the front of the classroom together and solve a problem for any subject in their curriculum.
Since 1990, many companies and even teachers themselves have shared free interactive whiteboard lesson plans and ideas online. These resources allow teachers to easily integrate electronic whiteboards into their current curriculum and create an immersive environment for all student learning types. Below are a few resources to start your implementation process:
Technology is increasingly important in today’s society, so it only makes sense to implement technological solutions in the classroom. With technology constantly changing, so does educational content, so interactive whiteboards all offer consistent flexibility. Students of all ages connect with interactive, engaging, and fun content. A smartboard is an effective way of integrating these elements each day into the classroom with onboarded teaching staff.
Want to learn more about the Promethean interactive displays or the implementation process? Let the experts at Ford Office Technologies give you a hand at 1-800-633-3673 or by emailing info@fordtech.com
In our fast paced tech-driven world, capturing the hearts of children is a challenge. Keeping their attention is an even bigger challenge. The best teaching is an art and a science. Educators are integrating technology in the classroom with amazing results. Consider the following 7 ways interactive whiteboards will enhance your classroom.
Interactive whiteboards allow educators to take standard lessons and turn them into interactive activities. Kids have fun while they learn. Interactive whiteboards like the Sharp Aquos Board are replacing overhead projectors in classrooms across the nation. Here are 7 reasons why:
Interactive whiteboards integrate various learning styles into one experience. Students can learn by seeing, hearing, and interacting with the board through touch. This equips teachers with new, innovative ways to teach the same subject material. Because of this, students learn better and remember more.
Interactive whiteboards allow children to interact with the learning material. They become a part of the lesson and can even teach each other. Their understanding of the subject is seen through touching, drawing, or writing on the board. Educational games can be played by entire classrooms. They also provide immediate feedback, so students and teachers can easily assess student progress.
Interactive whiteboards are clean and require very low maintenance. No chalk or markers or other writing utensils needed. Data is modified using a specialized pen for highlighting, drawing, and writing. Therefore there is no mess. No cleanup. It’s just that easy.
Various media types can be displayed on an interactive whiteboard. Whether photos, graphs, maps, illustrations, or videos- teachers have an abundance of options. You can create creative lessons to inspire your students.
Interactive whiteboards are connected to the internet which gives you a resource of online tools and information. Teachers have access to various sources to enhance and support their lessons with video, articles, images, learning tools, and more. Students also have a rich resource for research and learning.
Interactive whiteboard technology allows for the integration of various other technologies to enhance student learning. Any device you can think of like computers, microscopes, cameras, and video cameras can be attached to the boards to enhance instruction. As a result, the possibilities are near endless.
Students are more attentive in the classroom. Comprehension improves. Test scores rise. Literacy increases. Students learn better and remember it. When children engage more in the classroom, learning always increases.
Teaching is one of the most challenging yet rewarding endeavors you could undertake. Having the right tools in your toolkit always makes the biggest difference, especially in the classrom. Equip your classrooms for success. Consider interactive whiteboards like the Sharp Aquos Board in the classroom for your school this year. Your students AND teachers will thank you. Contact Us for more information on using the Sharp Aquos Board in your classroom.