Thursday, April 26, 2012

It doesn’t all have to be whistles and bells. In praise of ... The IWB


I love my interactive whiteboard but I don't believe in whistles and bells.  You don't have to make words spin and pictures dance to use the board effectively. I just use my IWB like I did my old board but I take advantage of the benefits; clear pictures and words, save-ability revisit-ability multiple screens, everything in one place etc. I love not having to rub out something because there is no room. I love being able to easily do something again.
I know they have their limitations, for example they make the class more frontal and possible less interactive. I know only one or two students can use it at one time.
In a perfect world I’d love both an IWB and a whiteboard in my class but this is reality and I’m glad I have my IWB.

5 comments:

  1. And if you are interested in a few hort videos
    http://bit.ly/JolEC2

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  2. It sounds to me that in the way you're using the IWB it's no more teacher fronted than an old white board- and a lot more practical, as you say. Good to have the bells and whistles for use sometimes, but too much ringing and whistling and the teaching gets lost along the way I think.:)

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    1. Yes I agree Rachael, I think sometimes people feel that because they have them they have to do something special with them. The special can come as you grow in confidence.

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  3. I got the chance to try out an IWB in London last summer. Very cool, if a little intimidating at first.

    I would love two or three whiteboards in my classroom :)

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    1. I agree, I was terrified when I first used one but it doesn't take long to get to grips with them.
      Thanks for taking the time to comment.

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