Fundamental elements of quality, interactive whiteboard lessons

Presenter: Charmaine FrielMD Sherston-Sheshani, primary school teacher

(20 yrs); teacher development and training Computer Room 3CPC

Wed 6 July: 15.30 – 17.30

Emphasis on learner focused objectives

Focus on learner-interactivity, not educator interactivity.

The learning outcome is observable and measurable:

Can you observe if the learners have grasped the concept?

How can you measure this?

If assessment is included, it must be appropriate to the learning outcome.

There are many opportunities for the learner to practice the skills we are teaching them.

The screen is uncluttered.

If animation is used it has a purpose.

The instruction is sequenced from easy to difficult and/or from few to many.

The screen does not include irrelevant clues that give away the correct answer.

Use relevant, interactive curriculum software to :

Enable authentic learning in interesting and engaging ways

Teach new concepts in a lively, engaging and interactive way

Consolidate/ revise concepts and skills

Assess learner progressDiagnose possible remedial

problemsVisit: www.sherston.co.za

Enquire about the Sherstonconference

curriculum software specials in

classroom E8

The basic functionality of all interactive whiteboards is the same. TRUE

Interactive whiteboard units which turn a normal whiteboard or smooth white surface into an interactive whiteboard do the same as interactive whiteboards which are installed on a wall. TRUE

All interactive whiteboards are supplied with powerful, easy-to-use lesson creation software. NOT ALWAYS

oDO: Make time to acquaint yourself about the different options that are available. oBE AWARE: More expensive does not necessarily mean better, but be alert to “cheap” solutions that don’t deliver what is promised. Check the footprint / presence of the product in SA schools. oENSURE: That your educators are ready and confident to use the technology. If not, put structures in place to correct it. oENSURE: That you have structures in place to sustain optimal use of the technology.oAVOID: Vendors who are selling IWB solutions who advocate using existing popular interactive whiteboard software at your school to use with their solution.

Questions to ask when researching Interactive Whiteboard technology:

Price? Pricing is always a consideration. More expensive does not necessarily mean better.What is included in the price?What is the warranty period? What are the installation costs? If you have technical/ hardware problems, do you have to call technicians to come to your school or does the supplier have a swap out policy?Is the lesson creation software powerful and easy to use? Has the software been designed with education in mind?Does your school pay for software updates/ annual fees? Is training included in the price of the unit? How much/ how often?

Is training hands on where educators create lessons themselves during the sessions? Is there free online training for teachers? Does the supplier supply resources, lessons etc when you purchase the unit? What other resources are available for use with the board/ unit? Is there a robust, relevant education community that teachers can tap into to download lessons, galleries and links? Are South African lessons available?Is there online technical, professional support with regards to assistance with improving on or enhancing the quality of lessons created by your teachers?  How many SA schools are using the product? What is the extent of the service and backup offered by the supplier?

Thank you for your time!

Please visit the Sherston-Sheshani and BDC stands in classroom E4 and

E8 to see interactive technology at its

best!