Interactive White Boards

This study involved a class of sixteen 1st grade students. On some days they used the digital whiteboard in their literacy lessons and on other days they did not. Due to the fact that there are many additional variables involved, no conclusive evidence was reported.

"The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between use of the digital whiteboard as a delivery tool for literacy instruction in a first grade classroom and student attention to and participation in the literacy lessons. Student attention was identified as looking at the speaker, looking at the digital whiteboard, looking at reading material, manipulating props and materials used to present material during the literacy lessons, and not manipulating other materials that are not a part of the literacy lesson."

I learned from this article that the more actively engaged students are with their learning, especially when they get to interact with the materials, the more likely they will be motivated to learn. In addition to engaging students, teachers have to consider building upon prior knowledge, pacing their lessons so students are ready for the next concept, and a creating well-focused lesson plans. The article suggests using dark, large print and the use of text boxes to emphasize the essential concepts in the presentation of information. The article also states that "short meaningful chunks of information for short intense periods is more beneficial than lengthy lessons". I believe the idea of small chunks of information is key to the success of students' learning, and would like to read more about it. In the study, the students used the digital whiteboard to read text and write on the SMART board during their literacy lessons. I love how in the article they mentioned some of the students' responses to using the SMART Board, one child's response was: "My finger is magic". Based off of student response, they loved any opportunity to use the SMART board and in this way be actively involved. The SMART Board seems to me to be an excellent teaching tool because of the many levels that a class can get involved through the use of it. Also, the excitement that students have regarding the SMART Board is reason enough for teachers to at least consider integrating it into their classroom!

Credit: The Digital Whiteboard As a Tool in Increasing Student Attention During Early Literacy Instruction (found via SMART Board website)