Interactive Whiteboards (IWBs)
Rather than telling you directly how to use an Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) in the language classroom, the purpose of this page is to provide links to sites that do.
Not all of the links below, however, necessarily relate directly to the language classroom.
We include sites likely to be of interest particularly to those starting out with this newest of new technology and - as on our other links pages - do not include commercial sites unless they also offer other valuable, freely accesible content.
We hope, fairly shortly, to be able to report on the use that we are making of interactive whiteboards in language teaching here at IH Barcelona, where we now have three.
Interactive Whiteboard Evaluation
Teachers at Boston Spa Comprehensive volunteered to pilot whiteboard technology, despite not having had much in the way of training. Among other things it was "evaluated in terms of the learning and motivational gains of the students".
Staff and 78% of students reported improvements in motivation. All the teachers thought the IWB was effective in terms of learning gains and 11% thought it was "essential" for their learning outcome to be achieved.
Most were enthusiastic about the whiteboard and all were impressed by its ease of use.
Promethean
Interactive whiteboard manufacturer Promethan not unnaturally promotes their own equipment but their site also includes lots of interesting links (many for subjects other than ELT, with the links not always specifically on using interactive whiteboards) including one to this Classminder "a digital assistant that keeps an eye on your class on those rare occasions when you have to pop out".
Now that's something you can't do with just any old whiteboard!
Whiteboard research project
Promethean worked with the University of Hull on a research project looking at the use of interactive whiteboards in the classroom.
The case studies section of the site is particularly interesting (including one on the advantages of teaching languages with an IWB); as are the tips on using IWBs, and the discussion forum.
Incorporating the SMART Board for Smart Teaching
The excellent techlearning.com site has an interesting article (with links to others) on using the SMART Board - aka the IWB, or interactive whiteboard.
Resources for the IWB
Schoolzone, which modestly says it is "probably the UK's most used education site", has an extensive collection of resources for the IWN, including evaluations, downloadable resources and articles on such things as good practice.
Buying an Interactive Whiteboard
You want to buy your own interactive whiteboard (your DoS said the school couldn't afford it, huh?)... This techlearning.com article runs you through some of the essential considerations.
More IWB links
National Whiteboard Network
The UK's National Whiteboard Network has an extensive collection of links (as well as a forum).
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