Ed Tech Talk

Blog: Reflect on your K12OC or Ed Tech Talk experience.


The EdTechTalk that I listened to was It's Elementary #43: Interactive White Boards. This was recorded by mariaknee on Tuesday February 23, 2010 at 3:57pm.


I was initially drawn to this video because I have heard that interactive white boards can be a very enhancing experience in the elementary classroom. Although I have heard great things about these classrooms from textbooks and seen many teachers at the secondary education and higher education level using these technologies; in the elementary school these boards are often ignored and avoided. When I was initially hired at my own school, there was an interactive white board that was being used to hold posters and other learning aids! What a waste!


After talking to a few teachers, I realized that many teachers just did not know what to do with the technology. This has caused me to have an interested in the learning possibilities available with White Boards; however, I have to find out more about them before I can approach my school district to purchase one for my use.


This edtechtalk strongly recommended teacher training in the use of interactive white boards. Another teacher added that teachers in their school district who were very weary of using white boards, were easily pros after they had no choice but to learn how to use the boards (older white boards were removed from the classrooms). I do agree that people are more likely to learn to use technology when they have no other choice. If teachers are given no option but to use the white boards - or not be able to project their lessons, notes, ect. - they are much more likely to figure it out!


Overall, I thought the session was really different. It was weird to have so many people talking and putting in their input. It made the season flow like a conversation, but yet they mostly kept on topic keeping it very informative. I really liked this session, however, I wish it had provided more input on what teachers can do with interactive white boards and the best uses for students. 




http://edtechtalk.com/node/4685