Interactive whiteboard

1. Introduction

2. Interactive Whiteboards: Creating Higher-Level Technological Thinkers

3. Interactive Whiteboards: Creating Higher-Level Technological Thinkers continued (Quote from the article)

4. Personal Reflection: Article #1

5. Let’s Get Whizzy!

6. Let’s Get Whizzy! (Quote from the article)


8. Is Technology Killing Critical Thinking Skills?

9. Is Technology Killing Critical Thinking Skills? (Quote from the article)


11. Conclusion

There is a new way for children to interact in the classroom without feeling embarrassed or pressured to get the right answer. It is the new and improved whiteboard. This is not just an ordinary whiteboard; it’s a whiteboard that can get the whole classroom involved!

The interactive whiteboard is a way for children to learn while having fun. This whiteboard helps make learning fun because it is getting children involved. This is just the beginning of technology changing the way children look at learning.

The new and improved whiteboard helps children to interact in the classroom because you are able to write on the board, put diagrams from the computer up on the screen, and even allow the children to use their imagination. The screen is large enough for everyone to see, and easy to use.

Source:Lacina, Jan. "Interactive whiteboards: creating higher- level, technological thinkers?" Childhood Education 85.4 (2009): 270+. Academic OneFile. Web. 1 Dec. 2010.

“Schools are attempting to find ways to bridge the gap between the "haves" and "have nots'--searching for ways to better prepare students to compete globally”(Lacina).

Although these whiteboards are very expensive schools know that education has become very competitive over the years. Other countries have surpassed American students in math and science. Children are going to be competing for jobs with these other technologically advanced countries. I have experience with these interactive whiteboards because where I went to high school I had one. The flip side of this is for the entire school there was one for everyone to use.

Another important lesson this article talks about is the way technology is used in classrooms all across the United States. Not every child is going to have the luxury of using the same technology that other schools may or may not have. Some students may not have computers to use at arms length, and some students may have an interactive whiteboard in every classroom. Interactive whiteboards are a new advantage to those students who are having trouble staying focused in the classroom, and are visual learners. These whiteboards also help educators make the lessons exciting because the children are able to get involved rather than sit at their desks.

Source:Lacina, Jan. "Interactive whiteboards: creating higher- level, technological thinkers?" Childhood Education 85.4 (2009): 270+. Academic OneFile. Web. 1 Dec. 2010.

I feel that the article, “Interactive Whiteboards: Creating Higher-Level Technological Thinkers,” was correct in many ways. I think that it is spot on when it comes to the United States of America competing with other countries in jobs and technology. This article does a good job of explaining the pros and cons of having the interactive whiteboard in a school. The cost of the whiteboard is outrageously expensive, and in this economy today not all schools are going to be able to afford this type of equipment. On the other hand, I feel that the whiteboard gives children a new way to look at education because with the whiteboard the lessons can be total hands-on. Schools that do not have this kind of technology available to their students, does not

The Interactive whiteboard can help children of all ages. Some children that are having trouble learning a certain subject or a challenging lesson, bringing out the whiteboard can help them succeed in many different ways.

Teachit Primary’s Whiteboard gives all children the opportunity to explore, discover, and be challenged at all different of levels. This type of whiteboard gives children a new outlook on learning. Teachit Primary’s Whiteboard has different types of animations and games that the children are able to play along with. Programs such as Choptalk which is different types of puzzles and a program called Magnet is like using the alphabet on the refrigerator. These programs

SourceCutter, Clare. "Let's get whizzy!" NATE Classroom 12 (2010): 56. Academic OneFile. Web. 2 Dec. 2010.

“As children first enter school some take to reading like ducklings to water while for others, navigating the complexities of the English language mean a long and frustrating struggle,” (Cutter).

Children have different ways of learning, and have different levels of how fast they individually learn the material that is being taught. With this TeachIt Whiteboard children will be challenged according to their own level of learning. This board is perfect for those children who are advanced because it takes the attention off of them and onto the children that need it most. The children that are struggling also are helped by this board because they themselves are also to practice the material that they are struggling with. This whiteboard is for every individual no matter how smart you are!

SourceCutter, Clare. "Let's get whizzy!" NATE Classroom 12 (2010): 56. Academic OneFile. Web. 2 Dec. 2010.

In the article, “Let’s Get Whizzy!” it gives different programs that can be played on the interactive whiteboards. These programs are helpful in the sense that they challenge children of all different ages and academic levels. The program call, “Magnet” is a game that is kind of like playing the game with the alphabet letters on your refrigerator. This would help children that are learning to spell, and even read. Another game that sounds fun is called, “Choptalk.” This game takes jigsaw puzzles to a whole new level. It is a jigsaw puzzle with words instead of pictures which this game also helps children learn their spelling and reading skills. These types of programs encourage and help all children.

This article is talking about how technology is not helping children in any way except to make their lives easier. For example, PowerPoints are used to replace poster boards but it doesn’t help the creativity level of the children. Educators do not necessarily use technology to make children smarter it only makes it easier for them.

With technology and electronics on the rise the interactive whiteboard may not be the best thing for children. The whiteboard does keep the children’s attention and it does help them interact with the different lessons being taught. But does it help the children think outside the box?

The only way that technology can hinder our children is if we let it. The way that we introduce technology in the classroom, and outside of school is how it can either hurt or help them. If we use technology in the lesson plans we need to show that it can only help advance their knowledge on a different subjects rather than replace it with something they already know.

Source Thompson, Alfred, and Helen Crompton. "Is technology killing critical-thinking skills?" Learning & Leading with Technology 38.1 (2010): 6+. Academic OneFile. Web. 3 Dec. 2010.

“Technology is one of the most powerful tools in our schools today for developing critical-thinking skills,” (Thompson).

Even though technology is one of the most powerful tools in our schools, if it is not used correctly it could teach our children to take the easy way out of projects, and writing essays. Children could also get attached to a calculator and not do math on their own. Technology is something spectacular for children in this generation and should only be used to advance their knowledge. As educators our job is to use technology in a positive way, and to not necessarily rely on technology 100% when it comes to teaching a lesson.

Source Thompson, Alfred, and Helen Crompton. "Is technology killing critical-thinking skills?" Learning & Leading with Technology 38.1 (2010): 6+. Academic OneFile. Web. 3 Dec. 2010.

I believe this article makes it a good point that educators need to take caution in the way they are introducing technology to children. The way that educators bring technology into the classrooms could advance their knowledge in certain subjects or it could help them find the answers the easy way. This not only makes children rely on other peoples information, but it does not educate them on any new subjects or topics. Technology can make it easier for children to find the correct answer, but it can also hinder children’s creativity. Children need to learn how to explore different options and ways of finding new answers. Technology is a tool that has many advantages, but too much technology can only hurt us.

While finding articles on the interactive whiteboards I realized that this nifty tool can help encourage children in many different ways. There are positives and negatives to this new advancement in technology. Although educators want to show children how to use technology they need to be careful on how they introduce it in the classroom. Too many children today rely on technology to complete their search with a few simple steps. Technology should be used to advance children’s knowledge and explore new ways of being creative. This interactive whiteboard can help children interact and explore while still having fun learning. The lesson that is being taught can be modified to help challenge children that are more advanced and can help the children that need a little bit more practice. The interactive whiteboard and technology alone have more advantages than disadvantages.