Interactive whiteboards are a classroom tool that allow teachers to display images onto an electric screen from a computer, using a projector.
Using the interactive whiteboard, teachers can show images, presentations and videos to the whole class at the same time.
Interactive whiteboards were invented to replace traditional chalkboards or whiteboards, which had to be wiped clean after every use. In order to use a blackboard or whiteboard, teachers used to need a constant supply of chalk or marker pens, whereas the interactive whiteboard doesn't need any of these.
As well as projecting images onto interactive whiteboards, teachers can also write onto them using a stylus. This feature has lots of uses for example annotating images, demonstrating a Maths problem and showing the class the correct spelling of a word.
Some interactive whiteboards can detect more than one person writing on them at a time, so the screen can be used by teachers and pupils to draw, write and click on things by touching the screen directly instead of using a computer.
The interactive whiteboard is an extremely useful tool in the classroom, helping to support learning in a variety of ways.
The interactive element of the whiteboard allows students to be more involved in the lesson - and it’s more engaging for the class. Students can interact with the whiteboard by choosing the correct answers, playing games or writing out spelling words and example sentences.
The interactive whiteboard also presents information to children in a way which is easy-to-read and exciting, helping students to retain information and make better notes. The ability to include images and videos on the screen provides children with a visual aid to stimulate their learning.
One of the clear benefits of interactive whiteboards in the primary classroom is that group activities that involve the interaction of the whole class can be done electronically with presentations prepared in advance, meaning teachers spend less time writing on the board and students have more time to learn.
Another benefit of using the interactive whiteboard is that you can encourage children to work together and centre lessons around problem-solving. You can write or type questions onto the screen for children to answer and get them working in small groups or as a whole class to find the answers.
