[Opensource] Re: [Oz-teachers] IWB's in secondary schools

Mon Mar 10 15:32:25 EST 2008

Not really open source, but check out http://www.education.vic.gov.au/languagesonline/

Memory Game maker. It has to run in Windows to create the content, but  
the final product is flash/html so works on Mac, Linux and Win.  
Originally designd for LOTE, it can be applied to any subject that  
requires a little rote learning. You have a set of 12 cards, you can  
have voice or text or images on the cards.  Kids can then smack the  
life out of your IWB playing a pairs type game.

Cheers,

Adam Barbary
Viewbank College

On 10/03/2008, at 2:35 PM, Roland Gesthuizen wrote:

> Apologies for any duplicate posts. Thanks for the feedback I have  
> been getting on IWB's. Seems as if there is a poor takeup by  
> secondary schools (except from amongst the ICT champions)
>
> Following is an interesting reply that I got from another list. Gosh  
> this looks like fun!
>
> I also like the feedback that I got from  Peter Cuttle below.
>
> Regards Roland
>
> With any technology, the relevant
> question is not whether or not you have it in the classroom (anyone  
> with
> money can do that), but how you use it in the classroom. Who cares,  
> really,
> whether you have a "proper" IWB or not? I care only that the  
> technology you
> actually have is being effectively integrated into classroom  
> practice and is
> leading to improved student outcomes. Integration means more than  
> just using
> it for the sake of something novel; it means moving to the point  
> where using
> the item simply becomes "the way we do things around here". And if  
> it isn't
> leading to measurable improvements in student outcomes, move on and  
> try
> using it in a different way.
>
> Does anyone need to be told that classroom technology is evolving  
> rapidly?
> No! But some do need to mind that they do not fixate on any one item  
> as the
> best thing possible. Grab the technology that is to hand and adapt  
> it to
> your own purposes. Even teachers who are not technologically savvy  
> can poke
> and prod, as long as they can switch it on. Be a part of the  
> evolution of
> this marvellous stuff, and share what you find out. This list is a  
> great
> place to start sharing.
>
> Peter Cuttle
>
> On 10/03/2008, Greig Tardiani <gtardiani at tpg.com.au> wrote:
> If you like the idea of playing a bit and want multi inputs to a  
> "IWB" then look at what this guy is doing.
>
> http://www.cs.cmu.edu/People/johnny/projects/wii/
>
>
>
> From: oz-teachers-bounces at rite.ed.qut.edu.au [mailto:oz-teachers-bounces at rite.ed.qut.edu.au 
> ] On Behalf Of Roland Gesthuizen
> Sent: Monday, 10 March 2008 12:58 PM
> To: Professional community for teachers
> Subject: Re: [Oz-teachers] IWB's in secondary schools
>
>
> A neighbouring school has IWB's gathering dust as they are solely  
> used as an expensive whiteboard / projection systems. Only one unit  
> is used effectively by an inspiring teacher who works in the same  
> room.
>
> I am typing this reply on an Ubuntu Linux desktop (excuse me for  
> being a power user). The USB waicom tablet that I loaned from school  
> just plugged in and started working. Again, this got me thinking  
> about the benefits of a 'touch sensitive' IWB as compared to just  
> using a wireless bluetooth enabled mini-keyboard with trackpad / USB  
> port and a bluetooth Waicom tablet.
>
> In theory two (or more) sets of these units can be shared amongst  
> students and the teacher in a classroom, perhaps one per team of  
> students. When necessary or desirable, they can then collaborate,  
> annotate on the big screen, all using a portable or existing  
> projector system.
>
> This week, I am going to order two sets of these wireless devices  
> for a trial.  Whilst I am not trying to reproduce the traditional  
> IWB and might miss out on some of the "eye candy", the cost saving  
> and approach where students can contribute from their team desks is  
> very appealing.
>
> What do others think?
>
> Regards Roland
>
> On 09/03/2008, Peter Ruwoldt <ruwoldtp at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> My school, a secondary school, is researching the use of IWB's and  
> there seems to be some variation in people's thinking about their  
> value in secondary schools.
>
> An on balance statement could be that IWBs do not improve learning  
> outcomes in themselves but they can help good teachers enhance their  
> lessons. Is this enhancement worth their cost?
>
> Can what is done with IWB's also be done with just a multimedia  
> projector and computer?
>
> It would be great to hear from people who have IWB's in their  
> secondary school, especially those that have had them for a while in  
> their school.
>
> Thanks
>
> Peter
>
> -- 
> Free and Open education for all
>
> Peter Ruwoldt
> Grant High School
> Hosking Avenue
> MOUNT GAMBIER  SA  5290
>
> P. 08 87263128
> F. 08 87250173
>
> ruwoldtp at granths.sa.edu.au
> http://ruwoldtp.googlepages.com/
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>
>
>
>
> -- 
> Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College
> http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au
>
> "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens  
> can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has." -- 
> Margaret Mead
>
>
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>
>
> -- 
> Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College
> http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au
>
> "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens  
> can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has." -- 
> Margaret Mead _______________________________________________
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