Why teachers have to use IWB in the classroom?

   “Research has repeatedly demonstrated that students learn better when they are fully engaged and that multisensory, hands-on learning is the best way to engage them. Interactive whiteboards facilitate multisensory learning whether it is a collaboration exercise for math problem solving or a Google Earth tour of the Amazon rainforest” (Teich, 2009, p.1). IWB is an amazing technology tool than can enhance teaching and learning. It helps teachers to present the content of the curriculum in an effective way. Teachers can use all different features of the IWB to engage their learners through the learning process. When students learn through engaging and interacting, they will be motivated to perform the skills. Students learn effectively by doing rather than just listening or reading. Therefore, providing an interactive environment will help students achieve the learning goal. In order to provide this environment, we could use IWB in the classroom.  

How teachers can engage their students using IWB?

     If you are hesitant to use the whiteboard in the classroom or you do not know how to use IWB to engage your students, click here to watch a great video that presents a variety ways to engage students using IWB. 

Here is a summary of what can be done using IWB:

·         “Multimedia lessons and presentations including audio and video” (Teich, 2009, p.1).

·         “Collaborative problem solving” (Teich, 2009, p.1).

·          “Showcasing student projects and presentations” (Teich, 2009, p.1).

·         “Virtual field trips” (Teich, 2009, p.1).

·          “Recorded lessons that can be used by substitute teachers” (Teich, 2009, p.1).

·         “Documentation of student achievement” (Teich, 2009, p.1).

• How we can encourage teachers to use IWB?
  
  
      Teachers look for the best for their students. Their goal is to ensure that their students have learned the required knowledge and mastered the important skills for their future. Therefore, teachers will be motivated to use IWB when they realize the benefits that their students will get when they learn by using IWB.  One strategy to encourage teachers to use IWB is through informing them about the benefits that their students will get if they learn by using IWB. For example, we can provide videos that show the impact of using IWB in the classroom.  When teachers realize the impact of IWB on students’ learning, they will be motivated to use all available tools in the IWB.  
  
  
  
  
  
  Why teachers do not use IWB in the classroom?
  
  
       Some teachers use limited features of IWB.  It could be because they do not know how to use these other features. Or it could be because the lack of confidence to use the IWB in the classroom. So, what we can do to help teachers use IWB effectively? How we can solve these issues that prevent teachers from using all the amazing tools in the IWB?
  We can solve these issues and encourage teachers to use IWB in the classroom through:
  
  
  
  
  1-      Providing training programs:
      Providing a training program that focused on effective IWB strategies. Many studies show that teachers usually get limited IWB training that covers only the basic skills (Armstrong et al.,2005).
  
  
  2-      Time to practice the tool:
      According to Türel and Johnson, (2012) “teachers who do not sufficiently use an IWB and do not practice what they have learned may have lost their initial IWB skills and knowledge as well as their confidence over time” (p.391).  Therefore, teachers have to practice the new skills in order to maintain the skills and improve them.
  
  
  3-      Peer collaborative:
      Most teachers "stated that they learned IWBs mainly from their colleagues. Therefore, it seems critical to support teacher IWB collaborations” (Türel and Johnson, 2010, p.392). Teachers who already mastered the skills can be a good trainer for the beginner. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  What about the cost of the IWB? Is it really worth the money paid?
  
  
      I believe that IWB is worth the money paid only when it will be used as it should be. It is worth only if teachers will use all features in the IWB to provide an effective learning environment. But if they will use IWB as only presentation tool, then it will be just a waste of money. “overuse of IWBs as a presentation tool in a teacher-led instructional setting may deteriorate students’ motivation, attention, and consequently, the efficiency of instruction” Türel and Johnson, 2010, 382). Therefore, teachers have to use the IWB in an appropriate way in order to achieve the learning goal and motivate their students.
  
  
      Deciding whether paying IWB is worth the money or not, depends on the way it is used in the classroom. It depends on the instructor’s awareness of the use of IWB in teaching and learning (Armstrong et al.,2005).
  
  
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  Resources:
   
  
  Türel, Y. K., & Johnson, T. E. (2012). Teachers' Belief and Use of Interactive Whiteboards for        Teaching and Learning. Educational Technology & Society, 15 (1), p.p (381–394).
  
  
  Armstrong,V., Barnes,S., Sutherland,R., Curran,S., Mills,S.,Thompson,I,.(2005). Collaborative     research methodology for investigating teaching and learning: the use of interactive             whiteboard technology.Educational Review,57(4). Pp.( 455-466).DOI:   10.1080/00131910500279551
  
  
  Teich,A.(2009). Interactive Whiteboards Enhance Classroom Instruction and Learning. nea          member benefits. Retrieved from:
               http://www.neamb.com/professional-resources/benefits-of-interactive-whiteboards.htm#