Incorporating Interactive White Boards

  Interactive white boards are a relatively new addition to any classroom here in the U.S. The use of these boards are supposed to get the students engaged in learning. These interactive white boards are supposed to spark a desire and excitement to learn. Used correctly and efficiently that is exactly what they do. Generally speaking, the use of an interactive white board in the classroom is associated with a 16 percentile point gain in student achievement. Throw in some of the other interactive features of a IWB and that gain rises significantly.  But, if used improperly and inefficiently the students achievement actually drops. Why is this? In the cases where the device is used incorrectly the teacher is not clearly laying out the objectives of the lesson. The teacher is using the IWB just for the sake of using it. The teacher may be racing through the information and there may be too much information and too many visuals.  The teacher may not be taking the time to discuss and reflect on the information being revealed by using the IWB.  In order to get the most of the IWB there are some specific strategies to creating effective lessons. First, the teacher needs to take time to organize the information and create small meaningful segments of information. Second, the teacher must make sure that the visuals focus on the important information being presented. Then, during the lesson take time to discuss and review with the students about what is being presented.  Let the students be engaged.  Finally, when using reinforcing features, such as applause, make sure the students focus on why the answer is correct or incorrect.
  The use of an IWB in the classroom should be a welcome addition to engage 21st century learners. Let us take the initiative as future teachers to be educated so we can pass that excitement of learning to our future students.