Interactive Whiteboards in Physics

I’m always intrigued by new technologies but frankly, I didn’t see the purpose of an interactive whiteboard (IW). Yes, they’re cool and probably fun to use but do they truly enhance the learning environment? I had to do a presentation on gesture-based learning for one of my grad school classes and I chose to research IWs to see if they are worth the money. (My presentation had nothing to do with cost analysis- this was just for me to see if I think they’re worth writing a grant for.)

An IW is a “large interactive display that connects to a computer and projector. A projector projects the computer’s desktop onto the board’s surface where users control the computer using a pen, finger, stylus, or other device.” (Interactive Whiteboard) There are quite a few beneficial features to an IW that are not available with traditional whiteboards. (Bell)

 

Examples include:

• Accommodates different learning styles (tactile/ kinesthetic, visual, audio)
• Actively engages learners
• Assessable for students with limited motor skills
• Provides homebound students with remote access to the classroom lessons (because you can digitally save the notes from class)
• Can be interfaced with other equipment such as cameras and laboratory equipment and software

Interactive whiteboards seem like a great tool in any classroom- how about in my physics class? What can I do with an IW to help my students?  

Interactive whiteboards would help my students to learn physics by:

• Providing color-coding to separate different components of problems
• Providing visual representations of theoretical concepts
• Allowing students to work hands-on with a simulation or problem
• Giving access to the notes from class online for repetition of problems 

Interactive whiteboards have tremendous possibilities in a physics classroom because of software and simulations that demonstrate the laws of physics. At the high school level, there are many wonderful laboratory experiences that students are not able to participate in because of safety or cost. IWs provide opportunities for students to perform simulations or remote laboratory activities for these types of labs as a group allowing for the same social environment found in a laboratory setting.

Furthermore, there are laboratories that have sophisticated computer interfaces that can be used with an IW for whole class participation. PASCO Data Studio equipment already in use in my classroom would connect with an IW for more effective demonstrations with improved student contribution and participation with their devices. Below is a video that demonstrates how simple it is to connect the PASCO equipment with an IW. (PascoScientific)

Finally, an IW with the right software could be amazingly helpful for students to visualize information and predict outcomes. The video below is of an MIT professor demonstrating the "Assist Sketch Understanding System and Operation" program that they have developed. The video is approximately five minutes long. Within the first two minutes, he demonstrates amazing capacity of the interactive whiteboard-computer system in showing the laws of gravity. Although this program is not available yet to the public, those with IWs will be able to have their students design systems and test them out when the program becomes available. The ability to design and test an idea such as those shown in the video does not exist on a traditional whiteboard- only IWs provide this type of capability. This would be pretty cool to do in my class!

 

Bell, M. A. (n.d.). Why Use an Interactive Whiteboard? A Baker's Dozen Reasons! Retrieved November 2, 2011, from Teachers.net: http://teachers.net/gazette/JAN02/mabell.html

Interactive Whiteboard. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interactive_whiteboard

Interactive Whiteboards in the Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2011, from http://rmtc.fsdb.k12.fl.us/tutorials/whiteboards.html

jm42892. (n.d.). Cool Computer Program. Retrieved November 5, 2011, from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7eGypGOlOc

Panasonic Electronic Whiteboards- Interactive Whiteboard Smart Board. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2011, from WordPress: http://enteractivewhiteboard.wordpress.com/

PascoScientific. (n.d.). SPARKscience on the Big Screen. Retrieved November 5, 2011, from http://www.youtube.com/pascoscientific#p/u/7/YWIY02TAp5s

SmartTechnologies. (n.d.). Interactive Whiteboards and Learning: Improving Student Learning Outcomes and Streamlining Lesson Planning. Retrieved November 3, 2011, from SmartTech: http://downloads01.smarttech.com/media/research/whitepapers/int_whiteboard_research_whitepaper_update.pdf