Comments on: IWBs and Raising Attainment

By: Spencer

Spencer — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:04:11 +0000

This post will be a great way to highlight to teachers and schools how IWBs are meant to be used which unfortunately is totally different from how they are often used.

One of the points from the research that I found quite interesting was the problem of teachers using too much visual stimulus on their IWB presentations. Much of the training I have seen often focusses on the many features that can be incorporated into a presentation but doesn’t go on to discuss any usability issues from the overuse of these features. A similar problem to the overuse of transition effects etc on PowerPoint preentations.

As well as the effect pointed out in the research of this obscuring the educational point being made it makes the resource difficult to interact with. Personally, I feel that the interactive part of IWBs should be as much about child interaction with the board as teacher interaction. As such the design of the notebook/flipchart by the teacher shouldn’t leave the child guessing as to which bits are meant to be interacted with when they go out to the front of the class. Random pictures/colours all over the screen just leave the child to work out how to interact as well as how to do the required task. On the other hand some commercial IWB software is just as guilty of the ‘random graphics everywhere’ effect and they really should know better.

By: Danny

Danny — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:44:17 +0000

While tablets are certainly an addition to an IWB I still do not think they are a replacement.

Try writing useful notes with one – if the teachers are looking at the board to see where the pointer is, and trying to write, they do find it very difficult.

IWB’s are a better solution overall. But you could supplement with a tablet (or wireless mouse) which would enable “interaction” with the computer from anywhere in the classroom.

I would be suprised if teachers who could not use an IWB were suddenly able to pick up and do anything useful with a tablet.

By: Darrell Walery

Darrell Walery — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:15:17 +0000

I think we really need to try and educate schools about other options. Many districts are drinking the iwb coolaid these days. For some reason it has become the “thing to buy”. As a Director of Technology and former Chair of CoSN’s Emerging Technologies Committee, I have some experience in this area. I highly recommend schools look at interactive tablets as an alternative. We purchased IWB’s in the past and most were never used, even after training was provided. Once we showed teachers the Interactive Tablet they were sold. We started the program this year and already have 120 teachers trained and using the tablets. We use the Qomo and I highly recommend it. It is roughly one third to one forth the cost, easier to set up and use, and can be used in more than one room.

Darrell Walery (I am not associated with this company in any way, any doubts, just google my name.)