As schools move progressively into a digital learning environment, interactive whiteboards are being widely adopted in primary and secondary classrooms.  An interactive whiteboard is a large interactive display that connects to a computer and a projector. The whiteboard display typically emulates the computer mouse and keyboard and is operated by using a special pen, or finger touch, depending on the model.

Uses for interactive whiteboards include:

• Operating any software that is loaded onto the connected PC, including Internet browsers or proprietary software

• Using software to capture notes written on a whiteboard or whiteboard-like surface

• On some white boards, translating cursive or handwriting into text

• In some instances, presenters can carry out polls and quizzes and capture the feedback on the Interactive Whiteboard.

The State government in 2009 announced it will provide every NSW public school with an interactive whiteboard to enable more students and teachers to benefit from learning with this technology.

Links to Resources

Smart Notebook Tutorials from TeacherTube
Click here to view video clips that show how to use various features of Smart Notebook

Teachers.TV

This website provides a link to a video which helps teachers to overcome “whiteboard phobia”.  An expert takes teachers through a series of tips for novice whiteboard users, discussing effective whiteboard tips for teachers, how to buy the right whiteboard and how to maintain it, and how to get students to participate in whiteboard lessons effectively.

http://www.teachers.tv/video/143 (retrieved March 26, 2009)

Western Australia DET. Interactive Whiteboards.

A clear and simple description of what an interactive whiteboard is, how they work the benefits and the disadvantages of using them in the classroom is given on a page linked to this website.  There are also links to pages which discuss the serious matter of related health and safety issues.

http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/iwb/index.htm (retrieved March 26, 2009)

Interactive whiteboard.net.au

SMART Board is a brand of interactive whiteboard. This dedicated website provides support for Smartboard users in schools.  There are links to groups of users listed by regions, free on-line training sessions conducted at scheduled times, lessons and units of work which can be downloaded and information on education and ICT based conferences conducted throughout Australia.

http://www.interactivewhitebd.net.au/oar  (retrieved March 17, 2009)

Education Network Australia (EDNA)

Edna is a free online network for educators, providing a range of digital resources for education and training.  This website provides links to professional reading and research on the use of interactive whiteboards in the classroom, as well as links to interactive curriculum resources.

http://www.edna.edu.au/edna/go/schooled/school_theme_pages/pid/544  (retrieved March 17, 2009)
Sue’s Web Links.  Interactive Whiteboards.

This website provides links to a wide range of useful resources organised under different categories.  The index page is divided into two parts; one section provides links to research, information and advice about interactive whiteboards, the other section links to various resources that can be used with interactive whiteboards.

http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/suel/white/white.html (retrieved March 23, 2009)

Primary School. Learning Technologies. Cameras and Whiteboards.

Specifically developed for Primary School teachers, this website provides links to a wide range of resources on the use of interactive whiteboards.  Topics include an introduction, as well as advice, on how to use interactive whiteboards, lesson starters, games and other classroom activities.

http://www.primaryschool.com.au/learningtechresults.php?strand=Cameras%20and%20Whiteboards&grade=General (retrieved March 23, 2009)
Video Pro Business Centre.  Interactive Whiteboard Websties.

This website provides some basic teaching tips on the use of interactive white boards.  It also provides links to a variety of useful resources listed under different subject headings, e.g. Maths, Literature/Phonics, Online Stories, Science, etc.

http://www.iwb.com.au/Go.asp?Code=IWB_iTeach (retrieved March 23, 2009)
NSW Country Areas Programme.  Interactive Whiteboards

The Country Areas Program (CAP) is funded by the Australian Government.  This page on their website provides a series of links to sites with ideas and resources in the use of Interactive Whiteboards, which includes some of the above sites and several more.

http://www.cap.nsw.edu.au/techtalk/white_boards.htm (retrieved March 26, 2009)
Interactive Whiteboards in the Classroom

The page on this website funded by the U.S. Department of Education provides an extensive number of links to whiteboard tutorials, templates, interactive sites and software to download.

http://www.fsdb.k12.fl.us/rmc/tutorials/whiteboards.html (retrieved March 26, 2009)

Theoretical Perspectives

Exploring pedagogy with interactive whiteboards: A case study of six schools 2005-2006

This study, conducted by UTS, investigated pedagogy, attitudes, and school contexts in six schools in which interactive whiteboards are being used.  The schools were all NSW Government DET schools, four of them primary schools and two high schools.  Three were in the metropolitan Sydney region, one in an urban area out of Sydney and two were in a rural area. The study adopted a qualitative methodology, investigating perceptions and usage through interviews, focus groups, observations and document analysis.

http://www.ed-dev.uts.edu.au/teachered/research/iwbproject/home.html (retrieved March 26, 2009)

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