Interactive whiteboard themes can aid learning

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<p> Technology in the classroom has advanced significantly during the first decade of the 21st century and there promises to be more developments to come that will make education even more interactive and hopefully more effective for both student and teacher. <br> <br> Computers have been present in the classroom for a number of years, as have multimedia tools such as overhead projectors (OHPs), VHS and DVD players and non-interactive tools such as blackboards and whiteboards. However, their combined use had to be integrated by the actions of the teacher and required a degree of co-ordination to ensure that the whole learning experience ran smoothly. <br> <br> During the 21st century one of the biggest developments in classroom learning has been the development of the interactive whiteboard (IWB). These are large interactive displays which provide an integrated solution to the interactive and multimedia experience. They display anything that can be done on a computer screen via a projection device, but are also capable of being touch screens and offer many other interactive options. <br> <br> Anything from a traditional PowerPoint slideshow to a fully interactive DVD experience incorporating computer input can be delivered via whiteboards. Indeed, many modern whiteboards come with in-built amplifiers and speakers capable of delivering a complete audio-visual learning experience. <br> <br> Especially from the point of view of children, anything that makes the learning experience more interesting is to be welcomed and <a href="http://www.prometheanworld.com/server.php?show=nav.15">IWB</a> technology has been successfully deployed in many UK schools. They usage has emphasised the shift of educational types of learning from behaviourism and repetition, favoured during the early and middle 20th century, towards a cognitive learning where students absorb information from what they see and then form their own theories. <br> <br> The latest educational theory for the digital age is that of ‘connectivism’ which pulls together formal classroom teaching, communication in the digital age and social interaction as the way that we learn. IWB teaching plays its part in this type of learning theory as it is capable of showing images and concepts in a displayable and easily understandable format. <br> <br> However, for that type of technology to have the desired effect in the classroom it is imperative that teachers are trained and confident in its use. By supporting teachers and ensuring that they can deliver interactive lessons to the best of their ability the entire classroom experience is enhanced for both learner and teacher. Interactive whiteboards are easy to use and there is no doubt that their use in the classroom is aiding the learning experience. </p> </p>
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