According to educators on Classroom 2.0 Community, the two leading interactive boards are SmartBoards and Promethean Boards. The educators have found that both boards have a lot in common. Each have software that can be downloaded into your computer. The Promenthean Boards have been said to have software that is easier to read and is "child-friendly". Both allow you as a teacher to have access to on-line downloads of lessons or other resources from teachers from around the world. The biggest difference between the interactive boards are the pens and sensors used to "write" or work on the board. Promethean Boards use pens and they can be loud when writing and SmartBoards use a senor and is touch sensative. When bought, the Promenthean Boards are packaged well, everything is included and they have a variety of resources and helpful support. The SmartBoards are not great at support but have been working on improving. It may only be a matter of time before they are as helpful and more efficient.
When looking into purchasing an IWB it is best to look at the needs of the school and class; how many classrooms will have boards, which accessories you want to use, what type of lessons you will be using the boards for, and which software you feel comfortable using and navigating around. Once your school has chosen which product they want to work with the first step would be to make sure proper training is set up for all the teachers to go through. The training is key to being sucessfull in the classroom.
After reading through the discussions on Classroom 2.0, I have learned that once everything is running smoothly your only concern may be how to manage the students when you use it. I have seen this first hand how excited a class can get when the boards are used. It is easy to incorporate student interaction with the boards because students will be eager to get involved. They love writing on the boards or pads. Students can write, circle, drag objects, and choose answers on the boards. Educators are excited about this new technology because it helps engage the students in the lesson. There are interactive pads that students can write on at their desk and their work is reflected on the screen. Math can be a tough subject for a lot of students and with the interactive smart boards teachers can dowload math games for the students to play in class. Math, science and social studies are the common subjects that are using the boards. The boards open you up to a vast number of lessons plans and activities that would be impossible to do on a projector or white board.
That sounds awesome, I want one. Wouldn't kids get too excited and not pay attention to content. How long until the novelty of the interactive white board wore off?
ReplyDeleteCurrently at the school site I am at we only use a projector and It does most of what a smart does except for the fact that you cannot write on the board. This tool is awesome becuase student can see first hand what the notes of the day are.
ReplyDeleteI think the idea of the interactive boards is a cool idea, however, I feel like even an adult like me would have a hard time concentrating on the lesson because of how amazing it is that someone can "write with their fingers", so I can't imagine what a child would think of this. Would it keep them engaged in the lesson or the idea of the board? I do like the idea of being able to download math games that may not be as easily accessible to students without the interactive smart boards.
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