Interactive whiteboard: how to work with it? Using the whiteboard

Every schoolboy knows exactly what an interactive whiteboard is, because it's not for nothing that the government has allocated money to provide all schools in the country with this device. Henceforth, teachers can forget about the technique of the XX century called "graph projector" and "slide projector." However, the device will be useful not only for schoolchildren, but also for adults, both at work and at home. The focus of the article is an interactive whiteboard: how to work with it, the positive and negative aspects of its use.

What is it and how does it work?

The first question that arises in a person when he hears the phrase "interactive whiteboard" is how to work with it? At first glance the device seems very complicated and inaccessible for many users. However, having understood, it can be concluded that this is another technical novelty, which can be mastered not only by the child, but also by the elderly person of conservative views.

The kit includes a projector and a touch-screen interactive screen. They are simultaneously connected to a personal computer or laptop. Some models are equipped with a special laser pointer, which is capable of affecting the sensitive screen. Accordingly, the projector transmits a picture on the screen, and the user with the help of a pointer, pen or fingers, making a touch to the screen, fully controls the contents of the picture.

A little bit about the technologies

Different manufacturers, as is customary in the IT field, have created the device using their own technologies, which slightly distinguish them from competitors. Naturally, saying that their development is much more effective. It is necessary to understand the differences.

1. Electromagnetic technology. The hard surface of the interactive whiteboard has a multi-layer structure, very sensitive to touch. The response time of the board, like the resolution, is very high, which allows it to respond quickly to touch. To work, you need a special token, and performance depends directly on the power of the computer.
2. Laser technology. Two infrared lasers read information about the user's actions by determining the coordinates of the touch. Unintentionally overlapping the beam, you can block the use of interactive whiteboard.
3. Ultrasonic technology. The principle of operation differs from laser technology only by using ultrasound instead of a laser beam.

What to look for when buying

Let the advertisement and confirms that the device is universal and the connection is possible to any computer, but this is for economically developed countries, where there is no problem with the annual update of the fleet of computers and laptops. Judging by the feedback of the owners, they are often worried about one question in the subject "Interactive Whiteboard": how to work with it, if there is no technical opportunity to connect it to computer technology? Before making a purchase, you need to make sure that you have the necessary interfaces. Most low-cost devices have an old service port for connecting to a computer - RS-232, which is missing from most laptops. New interactive whiteboards are equipped with only a Bluetooth module, which is not available on personal computers. Conclusion - you need to select the device individually for yourself and strive to ensure that the interactive whiteboard has a popular USB interface, which will never have problems.

Using the interactive whiteboard in the school

Any teacher knows that the student's assimilation of material is completely dependent on his attention in the learning process. Knowingly, along with pedagogy, future teachers learn oratory, which allows you to keep the attention of a large number of children by changing the intonation, loudness and speed of speech. However, this is not enough. Often teachers resort to involving students in properly designed games, participating in which the child receives information through association and his own memory. Games of the XX century included all sorts of drawings on the board or posters, cutting out models relating to the subject, cardboard and similar tools.

The interactive whiteboard in elementary school allows the entire class to be involved without much effort. Thanks to a huge number of specialized programs, you can change the course of the lesson in seconds if you lose interest of students and include something else, more interesting.

From theory to practice in education

As you know, if there is a need and resources, there is always a supply and a product. This applies to ready-made school programs in various subjects that can be found on the Internet. But, as you know, any teacher strives to submit his subject so that it is understandable to all students in the classroom, focusing on the "weak link". Ready lessons with an interactive whiteboard in such cases will not be effective. It is necessary to develop the plan from scratch. And there are no difficulties in this.

1. Use the Microsoft Office suite, in particular, PowerPoint. Using ready-made templates, it will be easy to create a visual presentation.
2. Smart software. The interactive whiteboard is originally delivered with this wonderful program. It is interesting only at the initial stages. Free drawing and working with text quickly get bored.
3. Self-development of programs using object-oriented programming languages, including WEB. This is the "aerobatics" of any teacher, although it may take a month to master the language, but the result is worth the effort.

Example of creating a lesson

The example will use the program for the Microsoft PowerPoint interactive whiteboard. The lesson theme for the primary classes is "Computer Device". When you open PowerPoint, you must select the "Ready template" and find the "Widescreen presentation". The presentation layout, consisting of eight slides, contains a complete instruction on how to work in the program. It is necessary to add a thematic picture in each slide, which can be downloaded from the Internet, and make a description for it. Should separately be present photos of the processor, motherboard, RAM, hard drive, video card, power supply, casing and all sorts of peripherals. Also you need to find a picture of the computer assembly, where you can see how and where the components are installed in the computer. When creating a presentation, you must add a graphic field on each slide for the possibility of adding information in the learning process - drawing arrows, footnotes and other descriptions. A simple presentation will allow even the child to understand the principle of operation and the device of the computer. The purpose of the lesson (using an interactive whiteboard) will be achieved.

Simple equipment for the smallest

A great popularity in the world is acquired by the children's interactive board. The child is easier to learn with a device that has feedback than a regular book. A simple and inexpensive solution for the youngest can become a toy "Talking Bookwalker". Let the principle of its device is far from expensive equipment, but the learning process is no less interesting to both children and adults. This interactive whiteboard will help the child quickly learn the alphabet and will allow to read simple words and sentences. The easel on the reverse side of the toy will reveal the artist's talent, and the soundtrack of keystrokes will not lose interest in the device. Interactive board for the youngest is made of durable plastic, it is not so easy to break it, accordingly, it will last a very long time.

Decent solution for preschool children

Interested parents and KidzBoard - interactive whiteboard, whose price is much higher than toys, but the functionality allows you to work with her even an adult. The board uses infrared technology and is designed to work with a projector and a computer. The design is quite comfortable, you can adjust the layout of the board in height, focusing on the growth of the child. The surface of the board allows you to work with both a marker and with any subject for drawing. Perhaps even a finger to carry out the input.

A distinctive feature of KidzBoard is the proprietary program for the interactive whiteboard called KidzFlow. A large set of tools allows you to create your own lessons from scratch as well as using special templates. The program has a built-in handwriting recognition system , which copes well with children's "scribbles." Its cost is about 50,000 rubles

Professional use

Having found out that the interactive whiteboard in the primary school is an indispensable tool for teaching, it is worth paying attention to useful functions for adults. For a long time, presentations and seminars can not do without the use of projectors, but this technology is one-sided and is used as a visual aid for a large number of spectators. Naturally, feedback is important for better perception of information. During the seminars many participants will always have questions that require detailed explanations. Using the interactive whiteboard will make changes to any presentation, sending training in a friendly environment.

What is interesting for business

Judging by the numerous reviews of trainers who conduct training seminars for people of medium and large businesses, the Board Triumph interactive board has proved to be an excellent one. And it's not even in the huge screen resolution (4096x4096 dots per inch), which allows you to see a quality picture from a long distance. A distinctive feature of this device is an interesting bundle, which includes 31 remote control panels. With the help of these devices, you can receive feedback from all participants during the conference by polling. On the panel there are several buttons that the coach can program for certain actions on the board using the software supplied with the device.

An example of use in business

I would like to see an example of how and where an interactive whiteboard is used. How to work with her in a training for managing small and medium-sized businesses? After completing the lecture, any teacher turns to practice. For trainings, there is always a set of economic and strategic games, where people are divided into several groups and offer to carry out a series of activities aimed at achieving the result. Using the interactive whiteboard, participants will not have to move around the room, experiencing discomfort. All the necessary information that can be dynamically changed is on the screen.

Anyone can make their own changes, and they will be immediately available to all participants of the training. Using the interactive whiteboard does not allow deception, and it also allows you to record all the actions of participants, allowing you to view the seminar at any convenient time.

Finally

It is clear that for many people who want to buy a device called an interactive board, the price will be the main factor in choosing. Yes, the purchase is expensive. However, it should be noted that it is a long-term one, since the equipment will serve a very long period. Therefore, if there is a need to use an interactive whiteboard, first of all you need to make a list of necessary requirements, and only then search for the desired device according to your budget. But not the other way around. Otherwise, as often happens in many people, the lack of necessary functionality will put an end to the use of an interactive whiteboard in business and education.