Who? What? Why?
I am Greg Bickett. Currently I am enrolled in an Instructional Technologies Master's Degree program at Syracuse University. I have also just begun my 10th year as a Special Education teacher in the Syracuse City School District. I teach in an Inclusive 2nd grade classroom at Elmwood Elementary School.
This blog is going to focus on Interactive Whiteboards also referred to as IWB. We may recognize the brand name SmartBoard but IWB is the more general term for these devices. IWBs are free standing or wall mounted touch sensitive display boards that present images created by a computer and a projector. A Wikipedia page about this topic reveals that there will be plenty to discuss.
I chose to blog about Interactive Whiteboards for a few reasons. My school possesses several IWBs and is looking to purchase more with technology based grant monies. The 3rd grade Inclusive classroom, where many of my students will be placed, has their own IWB, so it would be nice to partner with them in to create a continuum or flow to instructional practices especially for students with special needs. As I look at the trend of incorporating technology into classroom instruction, I see IWBs as an option that is very ready for integration and a replacement for chalkboards. Additionally, I have a friend who works for an educational technologies company that promotes products and staff development concerning Smart Techologies.
I intend to blog about what Interactive Whiteboards are, their uses, brands, and differences between them. I will also discuss classroom implications and lessons. I will attempt to include several different points of view by utilizing the resources available to me. I hope that followers will be able share their knowledge and experiences using such devices as we converse throughout the semester. I am by no means an expert on this subject but look forward to expanding my understanding and use of such a dynamic tool.
Greg,
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your blogs and learning more about Interactive Whiteboards. Sounds like you could benefit from an IWB in your classroom and I hope your school acquires one soon. My husband is a high school teacher in the area and says his claim to fame is that he has the only remaining blackboard in his school. I myself have never used an Interactive Whiteboard and hope to learn much more about how this technology is used.
Hi Greg:
ReplyDeleteI join Sue in stating that I look forward to reading your future blogs about Interactive White Boards. I must admit that via your introductory blog this is my first time that I am hearing about this type of technology. In my traditional face-to-face classes my instructors tend to present PowerPoint slide shows and in my online classes, they predominantly use an asynchronous communication delivery system with Skype and land line telephone calls being used for synchronous communication if desired by the student. ~Aja
I hope my postings will be informative for you both.
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