Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Blog #8 - "Build Your Own Board"


           This article called “Build Your Own Board” from the August 2009 issue of Learning and Leading with Technology explains the importance and interest in interactive whiteboards in classrooms.  Interactive whiteboards hold the students attention much more than blackboards used to.  An interactive whiteboard can connect to a projector and any kind of software.  Interactive whiteboards are also really easy for teachers to use and control.  Teachers can connect the interactive whiteboard with many different types of Web 2.0 programs such as Google Earth, a classroom blog or twitter and many other programs and tools.  Students can also interact with the whiteboard in front of the class, which makes learning more fun for the students.  There are many factors for teachers and administrators to consider when purchasing an interactive whiteboard which include cost and if it can fit into the classroom.

                It was interesting to read this article from 2009 about interactive whiteboards because I have notices that things have changed in the classroom since this article was written three years ago.  After observing many schools and classrooms, most rooms have interactive whiteboards such as the Promethean Board or the SMART Board.  Studies have shown that these interactive whiteboards have increased success and test scores for students.  I believe this is because students are more engaged with these types of board and they find it more fun to learn.  I think that a majority of schools in California by the end of this year or next year will all have interactive whiteboards in their classrooms.

                This article relates to ISTE NETS performance indicator number six “Technology Operations and Concepts” because students are engaging with a new technology, the interactive whiteboard, and understand how to use the new technology system.  This performance indicator highlights how students demonstrate an understanding of technology concepts, systems and operations.  By allowing students to use advanced technology, they are learning practical skills that they can use at home or in their future career. 


Vallis, K. and Williamson, P. (2009). Build your own board. Leading and Learning with Technology. 37(1).

2 comments:

  1. Colleen,

    This is a very interesting article. The idea of smartboards in the classroom will definitely enhance students knowledge in subject areas. Those interactive whiteboards are very valuable for all ages I think. It will be vaulable for all us future teachers to understand the application of the interactive whiteboards because I also think they will be in every classroom very soon! Great article

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    1. Hey Colleen,
      I had never known much about these boards prior to our class. But they are very cool! I would use one in my class. I wonder though, with all the budget cuts in CA right now, how can as you said "a majority of schools" have them in their classrooms. I hope so as it's great technology, but I don't know if that's the wisest use of very limited funds right now. I wonder, is there such an interactive board that has a music staff on it for music education?

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