The Whiteboard Blog. It might be useful to start at the beginning and explain a few basics for those readers who are coming here to find out about Interactive Whiteboards from the point of view of a complete beginner. What is an interactive Whiteboard? Wikipedia defines an Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) as An interactive whiteboard is a large interactive display that connects to a computer and projector.
A projector projects the computer’s desktop onto the board’s surface, where users control the computer using a pen, finger or other device. The basic kit consists of three partsThe Whiteboard - touch sensitiveA data projectorA laptop or PCThe computer projects an image of the computer screen onto the Whiteboard. Some newer versions involve adding touch capabilities onto a very large LCD monitor. Most whiteboards do not have built-in speakers. There are three main types of board: 1.
This uses several thin layers of material that are stretched across the front of the board. 2. 3. Software. 20 Interactive Whiteboard Resources for Teachers. Interactive whiteboards are a great way for teachers to engage classrooms in learning. These tools are also cost effective. The Internet has tons of free sources to help teachers learn about and use IWBs with students. Here is a list of 20 interactive whiteboard resources and activities guaranteed to stimulate learning: General Resources TeacherLED – TeacherLED is a site dedicated to making the use of Interactive Whiteboards (IWB) easier and more productive.
This comprehensive site features resources to use with IWBs in math, English, and geometry. SMART – This SMART Board interactive whiteboard site provides several lesson plans and activities for teachers to use in the classroom. Topmarks – With some of the best free educational materials for IWBs, Topmarks is a great resource for finding IWB lesson plans and activities.
Interactive Whiteboard in the Classroom – This site for whiteboard users features tutorials, interactive websites, and software. Games and Activities Enjoy! Strategies: Smartboard. Interactive whiteboards are more than just glorified overhead projectors - the interactive tools allow teachers to create lessons that actively engage students in creative ways. They also allow us to use a variety of interactive web 2.0 tools with our students in a way that allows all students to participate actively. I hope to add more items to this page throughout the year - great links to other websites and my favorite Smartboard files. For now, it's a somewhat random listing of files that I've either created ordiscovered on the Internet. Cool Websites and Applications for Any Computer BrainPOP Free Video Collection - Do you know Tim and Moby? The Hat - A great tool for choosing students randomly! Webinar Recording: 5 Amazing Web Tools for Classroom Collaboration Click below to watch the recording of a webinar hosted by Laura Candler featuring five terrific educators and their favorite web tools.
More Amazing Web Tools Webinar Resources Interactive Fractions Program. 12 Puzzle and Quiz Creation Tools for Teachers. There are many different sites on the internet that allow you to create your own puzzles and games to use either directly in class, or which can be linked to/embedded into your VLE. I’ve been doing some trawling ahead of a training session I am running soon, and here are a few of the best ones that I’ve found. There are others out there, but the focus specifically for my session was KS4 and 5, so these links are aimed at older students. If you have any other favourites, please add them to the comments! 1. Classtools Net Classtools is already one of my favourite websites, home of the Countdown Timer and Random Word Picker. 2. Content generator’s templates allow anyone to generate their own e-Learning quizzes, games and applications through our custom software – no coding required. 3. SuperTeacherTools.com is dedicated to providing technology tools for teaching that are quick and easy to download, learn, and start using in your classroom. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Also worth a look: Smart Notebook 11 - A first look at the new version. The wait is nearly over and Smart Notebook 11 is set to be released on 23rd April. (Edit : It’s here.) I’ve been lucky enough to download a copy early and have a sneak peak of the new version of the Smart software and see how much it has changed since it was previewed at BETT back in January. Thanks to the folks at Smart for letting me have a copy. I’ll try and sort out some videos in the near future that demonstrate some of the new features, and I will also have to update some of my training materials, but for now here’s an initial run through of some of the things that caught my eye. The first thing that caught my eye is the redesigned main toolbar.
The left hand side of the toolbar stays the same. All the pens are grouped together now – Regular pens, creative pens, calligraphy pen and the new crayon tool. Likewise if you choose a shape, then the various shape options appear. A new feature that I’m very pleased to see is the Freehand Fill. But now it’s here.