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An Introduction to Interactive Whiteboards

If you’ve been wondering about the latest phenomenon circulating around the education industry, then you may have come across the term ‘interactive whiteboard’ once or twice. Needless to say, by definition, it’s not too hard to ascertain exactly what it does. But for those who are still unsure, by technical definition an interactive whiteboard is a touch-sensitive screen that works synchronously with a computer and projector.

In the education sector, the interactive whiteboard was recognized for its vital importance as a learning tool for budding young students. The culmination of mental and physical learning stimulation meant that banal learning would be a thing of the past. Through interactive learning, teachers realized that they could alleviate relative attention deficit behavior by engaging the students through this revolutionary technology.Interactive whiteboards are here to stay. Unveiled in the early 90s, and since evolving to unparalleled technological standards, they’re soon to become an integral part of the modern day classroom.

But just how exactly do they benefit students in class? It’s a fair question to ask, because as with all new technology, there’s generally a tough period of adjustment before the technology itself becomes a staple part of daily function.

In the classroom, interactive whiteboards are the perfect way to culminate student interaction, digital content and multimedia in a multi-person learning environment. Interactive whiteboards are multi-faceted with regards to their function and purpose. Interactive whiteboards are subconsciously cognitive; when a student engages themselves in the subject matter on screen, they are also developing their skills subconsciously at the same time. While using interactive whiteboards, students can learn to manipulate text and images, take notes in digital ink, further develop their skills with continued interaction with a graphical interface and operating system, develop web skills and much more.

The fact is, interactive whiteboards affect learning in several different ways. Not only do they raise the bar for student engagement in the classroom, they also encourage enthusiasm in the classroom, team-work and in some cases may even lower the classroom absentee rate - and all because students no longer have to feign their interest over a boring book, they’re instead presented with subject matter that they can see, touch and most of all interact with. What the future holds for interactive whiteboards   

Given their popularity and proven benefits in the classroom, interactive whiteboards are set to become a cornerstone of learning through their application and development. In 2010 alone, there has been an enormous growth across Western civilizations such as America, Australia and the United Kingdom. It needs to be acknowledged however, that interactive whiteboard technology is still in somewhat of a ‘beta’ phase. Only until this technology is perfected, and mass produced, will we see it worldwide. In the meantime,

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