Interactive Whiteboards

Over the last few years, interactive whiteboards have become popular and more schools are integrating them into their classrooms. Interactive whiteboards are a great tool when teachers know how to use them. In a small study that was done, it showed a 16% point gain in students’ achievement. This is why teachers need to use interactive whiteboards more effectively. Some strategies that teachers should use are visuals that focus on the important information; organize information; and make small and meaningful segments with bullet points. In addition, teachers should stop to discuss correct or incorrect answers or listen to students opinions. In order to make whiteboards effective in the classroom teachers need to learn the basics. A smart board lesson needs to be well organized and be able to engage students. Some features that interactive whiteboards provide to engage students are pull-tabs; add extra interaction; drag to reveal; animate objects; games; create a theme and/or custom backgrounds for the lesson. Furthermore, with all the resources that are available for 21^st century education, there is no excuse for teachers to not be able to provide well thought out lessons with a whiteboard, all educators know that these new generations learn through technology, this is why teachers need to incorporate all sorts of technology in their lessons.