In my SEDU 183 class we have been considering whether interactive smart-boards really make a difference in the class room or not, whether it is really worth all that money spent on them. In my opinion I do not think they are necessary in all classrooms. If the teachers are going to use them in the same way they would use a normal chalkboard or white board I do not think that they should have them in their classroom. In my high school we had them in every classroom but there was only a couple teachers that would use them properly, most teachers would just put the notes up on the board and talk about them while the class copied it down. I think the most efficiently used interactive white boards are used in elementary classrooms, they do activities where the class is going up and participating which really benefits children because in order for them to learn they have to do, that is exactly what they are doing with these interactive white boards. When used properly I think interactive white boards are a great new learning tool.
Though interactive white boards are not for everyone, they can be very helpful. Personally I am a hands-on learner and for that these boards are great. There is so many different activities to do on them to keep the class involved and interested, the teacher just has to put in the effort to learn how make these types of lessons instead of presenting the information as they always have.Using interactive white boards can be a great way for a differentiated classroom. A teacher can demonstrate lessons using multiple learning styles.They can do hands-on activities, listening or reading interactive activities. Most of these activities will benefit the whole class. From my experience, doing activities on the interactive white boards made it a fun and helpful way to learn. It made us get up and be involved instead of sitting there daydreaming as the teacher talked. These boards are a great way to involve all students and the way that they learn while making it interesting for everyone also.
