Using Interactive Whiteboards in the Classroom
Updated on January 12, 2009

What is an interactive whiteboard (IWB)?
        An interactive whiteboard allows teachers to incorporate interactive lessons into the classroom.  It allows a wide spectrum of concepts to be introduced efficiently and effectively. 

Companies producing interactive whiteboards:

SMART Boards

Promethean

Numonics

Mimio

TeamBoard

How does an interactive whiteboard work?
        An IWB is connected to a projector and a computer.  The board is composed of two sheets of resistive material that are separated by an air space.  The computer recognizes the closing of the air gaps when contact is made to the board and records the movements through a system of coordinates.  It is similar to writing on a chalk board.  One must keep their finger or stylus in contact with the board in order to record onto the computer. 

Advantages vs. Disadvantages

ICT in Schools
http://www.newman.ac.uk/Students_Websites/~r.hinett/intwhiteboard3.htm
Site gives a basic view of advantages and disadvantages.

National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilites
http://www.edfacilities.org/rl/interactive_whiteboards.cfm
This site lists resources and findings on IWBs.
 

Resources available online

Topmarks Education
http://www.topmarks.co.uk/Interactive.aspx#fmaths
This site provides educators with links to interactive sites that work well with IWBs.

Birmingham Grid for Learning
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/15.cfm
This resource specifically develops resources and activities for interactive whiteboards on both the primary and secondary level.

Athena
http://www.athena.bham.org.uk/
Provides resources and some lessons in a variety of subjects for primary grade interactive whiteboards.

eChalk
http://www.echalk.co.uk/
Subscription based site for IWB activities but offers free samples of many upper level science demonstrations.

Creating Smart Lessons
http://www.ecarter.k12.mo.us/dept/elementary/fourthgrade/ccrites/etipslesson1.html
Provides guidance for using smartboard effectively and creatively to improve lessons, student interest and student performance

Engaging Learners the SMARTboard Way
http://eduscapes.com/sessions/smartboard/
Great place to find starter activities for SmartBoard

Juliethompson
http://www.juliethompson.com/SMART.html
Provides great Smartboard sites for first time users

Instructional Technology
http://its.leesummit.k12.mo.us/smartboard.htm
Gives information about Smartboard interactive websites, pre-made notebook activity downloads, resources, training and tutorials

Interactive SmartBoards Sites
http://faculty.usiouxfalls.edu/arpeterson/smartboard.htm
Great site that provides interactive tools for your classroom using SmartBoards

Internet4Classrooms
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/smart_board.htm
Great place to find resources relating to training, interactive sites, lessons, and care for SmartBoards

Office of Instructional Technology Teacher Resources
http://www.kenton.k12.ky.us/SmartBoard/smartboardindex.htm
Provides teachers with downloadable instructions, training documents, lessons and templates

SMARTBoard
http://www.bristolvaschools.org/mwarren/SBActivities.htm
Gives unique ideas for using Smartboards in the classroom

Smart Board and Airliner Activities
http://technology.usd259.org/resources/whiteboards/smartlessons.htm
Provides teachers with a lesson activity toolkit when creating lesson plans!

Smartboard in the Classroom
http://www.waukesha.k12.wi.us/WIT/SmartBoard/specificapps.htm
Gives ideas, lesson plans and websites by subject area

Smart Board Lessons
http://teach.fcps.net/trt27/smart_board_lessons.htm
Provides teachers with maps, lessons, manipulatives, and related content materials

Smart Board Lesson Ideas
http://www.wacona.com/smartboard/smartboard.html
Great for elementary lesson plans

SmartBoard Templates
http://www1.center.k12.mo.us/EDTECH/SB/templates.htm
Templates for all grades

 

Other links

Kent National Grid for Learning
http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/ict/IWB/
Provides information about IWBs.

Education World
http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech/tech206.shtml
Discover information about whiteboards in their overview.

Northumberland Teaching and Learning
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/iwb/default.htm
Provides useful links to reviews and interactive lessons, especially in history and science.

Promethean links

Promethean Quick Tour Video
http://www.prometheanworld.com/server.php?show=ConWebDoc.259

Promethean Web Site
http://www.prometheanworld.com/us/

Promethean Online Courses (Promethean Learning)
http://prometheanlearning.com/us/

Promethean Planet (Free Resources)
http://www.prometheanplanet.com/us/

Research:

The Wonders of Interactive Whiteboards. By: Starkman, Neal. T.H.E. Journal, v33 n10 p36-38 May 2006.

Use an Interactive Whiteboard: Get a Handle on How This Technology Can Spice up the Classroom. By: Branzburg, Jeffrey. Technology & Learning, v26 n6 p31 Jan 2006.

The Features of Interactive Whiteboards and Their Influence on Learning. By: Kennewell, Steve; Beauchamp, Gary. Learning, Media and Technology, v32 n3 p227-241 Sep 2007.

The Evolution of an Effective Pedagogy for Teachers Using the Interactive Whiteboard in Mathematics and Modern Languages: An Empirical Analysis from the Secondary Sector. By: Glover, Derek; Miller, David; Averis, Douglas. Learning, Media and Technology, v32 n1 p5-20 Mar 2007.

Pedagogical Strategies for Using the Interactive Whiteboard to Foster Learner Participation in School Science. By: Hennessy, Sara; Deaney, Rosemary; Ruthven, Kenneth. Learning, Media and Technology, v32 n3 p283-301 Sep 2007.

Pace, Interactivity, and Multimodality in Teacher's Design of Texts for Interactive Whiteboards in the Secondary School Classroom. By: Jewitt, Carey; Moss, Gemma; Cardini, Alejandra. Learning, Media and Technology, v32 n3 p303-317 Sep 2007.

Investigating the Use of Interactive Whiteboard Technology in the English Language Classroom through the Lens of a Critical Theory of Technology. By: Schmid, E. Cutrim. Computer Assisted Language Learning, v19 n1 p47-62 Feb 2006.

Collaborative Research Methodology for Investigating Teaching and Learning: The Use of Interactive Whiteboard Technology. By: Armstrong, Victoria; Barnes, Sally; Sutherland, Rosamund. Educational Review, v57 n4 p457-469 Nov 2005