[Opensource] Interactive Electronic Whiteboards

[Phil Brown]

Apparently the break even point for IWB's in a large school is 15. This
means the issues of not being timetabled in the same room as a IWB can be
overcome as long as the IWB is the same throughout the school. IWB's are
good and there is a lot you can do with them as long as you take the time to
learn to use use them skillfully. The wireless tablet can be used with them
as well and kids can interact with them with the tablet or hands on.

BECTA produce some good research on IWB's. This
paper<http://partners.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=rh&catcode=_re_rp_02_a&rid=13663>is
for grade 5&6 but is still relevant.

It's good to talk this through as they are gaining in popularity and schools
are likely to spend megabucks.

Phil Brown

On Mon, Mar 10, 2008 at 1:00 PM, Roland Gesthuizen <rgesthuizen at gmail.com>
wrote:

> A neighbouring school has IWB's gathering dust as they are used as an
> expensive whiteboard / projection systems. From what I can see, only one
> unit is used effectively by an inspiring teacher who teaches only in the
> same room.
>
> I am typing this post 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
>
> --
> 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
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