Episode 5: Look at the Board
Interactive Whiteboards seem to be a popular topic of discussion amongst teachers, so in this episode we talk with Bryn Jones from Fremantle, WA, and Paul McMahon from Hong Kong about a range of ideas and issues around the use of IWBs. We also touch on the value of an IWB enabled classroom as well as a number of new IWB technologies for the future.
Links for this episode:
- Onfinity
- Ideal Resources
- E-Beam
- Learning Solution Hong Kong
- ICTPD
- Atomic Learning
- Easiteach
- Quizdom
- Taiwanese Quiz Device (Internet Explorer only)
- SMART Technology
- Promethean
- One Laptop Per Child Project
- Dongtan - China’s sustainable city project
As always, your feedback and comments are welcome. Enjoy!
November 25th, 2006 at 5:36 am
Great episode Chris; the format is becoming a lot clearer, and I think more useful too. This ep is great as it involved two “experts” (well, 3 incluing yourself) discussing very specific aspects of the technology, how it can be implemented into a variety of classroom settings, and suggestions of how to use it in those settings! Great show! Congrats.
I think having only a couple of “experts” makes the conversation easier to follow, much more flowing and specific.
Thanks for your dedication and innovation.
I’ll be inviting a geography tecaher for the next ep!
November 25th, 2006 at 6:23 pm
Again have to comment on this topic as it is a favourite.
Interesting that the conversation initially circled around vision of what is right for implementation in your own school. Mentioned was IWB as the hub, pods of computers in the room, 1to1 laptop schools, tablet pc with wireless projectors, etc. You can argue the point vaildly to any of these models in terms of costs and pedagogy.
However, unless a school system decides one particular model that a school MUST follow then the school themselves must decide what is right for them. As with the comment I left in a previous episode on IWBs here, a school’s vision on ICT and how they make learning integral to learning will determine what path they go down.
Paul mentions clearly the economic realities of implementing technology in schools. This will often be the big determining factor. However, a clear vision will assist a school down the path that is ‘right’ for them. The challendge is for the school to sustainably fund it, whatever the model.
I would argue the point that there is no ‘right’ solution. Needs, philosophies are all different. Hence different implementation models. Once the model is chosen though PD to support your teachers in teaching and learning with that model is essential to ensure you get the ‘bang for your bucks’!
Adrian (Sunshine Coast - Australia)
November 27th, 2006 at 5:51 am
That was a lot of learning! I appreciated hearing about the different contexts (for instance Hong Kong local schools and the IWB revolution in China) and enhanced technologies. You all explained tablets and other technologies that were unfamiliar in an engaging way. Onfinity sounds intriguing. Thanks for another great podcast.
December 15th, 2006 at 10:47 pm
Just wondering if this whiteboard idea seeing its linked into wireless whether people in different places could link up from around the state to talk to each other?
December 16th, 2006 at 7:34 am
Jean, the whiteboard is, to really oversimplify it, just a projection screen. Of course, it’s interactive, so you can touch it to interact with the computer, but in essence it just acts as a projection screen. This means that it does whatever your computer is capable of doing… if your computer can do a video linkup with other people around the state/world, then the whiteboard can be used to interact with it.
The wireless-ness of the IWB doesn’t really come into it in that sense.
December 17th, 2006 at 12:27 am
Thanks Chris. So it would have the potential to link the school of the air in remote regions with each other. If so that would really make the bush come to the city.Hope this new G3 actually happens giving everyone the same access.
: ))
Jeanie
January 21st, 2007 at 4:14 am
Hi Chris. Just discovered the Virtual Staffroom and listened to ‘Look at the Board’. Wonderful discussion from different persepectives. Some great advice from Paul and Bryn. Have downloaded all episodes and look forward to hearing them. An excellent concept in allowing teachers to share their views around the globe. Well done on a great resource.
Mark Holland (ICT Staff Development Officer, Ryan Catholic College)