subject: Interactive Whiteboards: The Next Step In Educational Technology [print this page] Technology has brought many changes to the way teachers can teach and students can learn in the classroom. The next step in the development of educational technology such as Dell educational technology system is the use of interactive whiteboards in the classroom. An interactive whiteboard is an interactive display, which is connected to a computer as a means to pass instructions to students in a more interactive manner. The popularity of interactive whiteboards as an instructional tool is growing and may eventually end up replacing the traditional whiteboard, in the more industrialized nations.
At the moment, there are two basic types of interactive whiteboards:
1. Touch based whiteboards: This type of whiteboard allows users to interact with it by touch, thanks to resistive technology. Users can interact with the board directly by using their finger. They are more favored by users, because they don"t need to use touch based devices like a stylus.
2. Pen based whiteboards: Rather than the use of a finger, these boards require specific electronic devices, known as light pens or stylus, to interact with the board. The key advantage of this device is the level of precision achieved through their use.
As a piece of technology, interactive whiteboards provide a number of benefits to both teachers and students in the classroom, which include:
" They can be used to provide instructional guidance on topics that need visual representation, like computer software, websites, videos and the likes.
" Teachers are able to record the instructions done on the board, which students can access and review later. This feature is beneficial to students, who may be absent from class or have learning disabilities.
" Teachers can create instructional blocks for review by students. These blocks can include visual and audio inputs made by the teacher.
The use of interactive white boards is not limited to the classroom. They can also be used in a boardroom meeting to assist in making a more visually appealing presentation. Through this interactive device, users can be able to access photographs, PowerPoint documents, Word documents and online websites.
Interactive whiteboards are often bundled with special software upon purchase. Manufactures have developed software for use for specific users. For example, teaching software may have templates for instructional guidance on mathematics, music, sports, etc. Modern times require modern measures in the provision of educational technology and the next forefront in the empowerment of teachers in the classroom is the interactive whiteboard.
