Interactive+Whiteboards

An interactive whiteboard is a piece of hardware that looks much like a standard whiteboard but it connects to a computer and a projector in the classroom to make a very powerful tool. When connected, the interactive whiteboard becomes a giant, touch-sensitive version of the computer screen
 * What are Interactive Whiteboards?**

SMART Board, ActivBoard, eBeam, Mimio, and Webster are some of the most widely used interactive whiteboards at this time.


 * How might they be used in the Classroom?**

Save lessons to present to students who were absent Use the built in maps to teach continents, oceans, countries, or states and capitals. Electronic Word Wall Teach editing skills using editing marks

Articles

 * Amazing Whiteboards **

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This article explains a little more in detail on what interactive whiteboards are. It also provides some quotes from teachers that have used interactive whiteboards in their classroom. My favorite quote is from a professor at the University of North Texas. She stated, “It’s not just about the technology—it’s about learning how to use the technology in an effective and meaningful way.”=====


 * Resources, resources, resources**

This article/webpage was one that I found that provided me with numerous resources that I could use in order to get teaching ideas regarding using interactive whiteboards. Many of the resources are broken down according to subject areas such as, math, english, science, etc. Very useful!!

Student Activity #1

Grade: 4 Subject: Science

Using one of my learning objects website, Sea World I will have my students do their research on their animal that they picked out of the hat. They will then create a non-linear and interactive powerpoint using the information they found on their animal. They will present their powerpoint using a SMART board. This way the class and get up and interact with the powerpoint while using a SMART board.

Student Activity #2

Grade: ANY Subject: ANY

I would have my students use a SMART board during a spelling review game. I could split my class into two groups and one by one, a member from each groups comes up to the SMART board and once I read the word out loud, whichever group member correctly spells the word correctly receives a point for their team! This would a be a fun and interactive way for my students to use a SMART board!

**My Experience Using a Whiteboard**

I used a SMART board on campus in clow. My reading class is held in a classroom where a SMART board is located. My instructor, Michael Ford, uses the SMART board during instruction. After class one day, I decided to test out the SMART board myself. It was so neat! Then, throughout the course, we had what we call "quick fire challenges" and each group has to present a topic from a certain chapter, and for my group's presentation, I suggested we include the SMART board. We presented a mini lesson on how to get students to comprehend a passage more efficiently. We used the SMART board to write down prompt questions that we would ask the student as he or she read a passage!!

My sister is a special education teacher at in Brookfield, Wisconsin. During spring break, her school was still in session. It is her first year teaching and I really wanted to go observe her special ed classroom. I went down there for a day and during her lunch break, we went into another teacher's classroom. The classroom had a SMART board! I was so excited because I actually knew how to use it and my sister didn't! I asked the teacher whose classroom we were in to see if it was okay if I played around on it a little bit to show my sister how it worked. My sister loved it! Who doesn't love SMART board these days?! :)