I would not be without an IWB but as I left this years BETT Meeting in January at Olympia chatting to a colleague we were dissappointed that we did not seem to have seen much that was innovative. Much that we had seen seemed to be reconfiguration of IWBs, for example to operate as a table top or on the classroom floor. yes these are exciting innovations but as to the regular day to day use of IWBs there seemed to be little around to indicate what might be the next steps in Primary ICT.
Interactive whiteboards have had and continue to have a positive impact on the teaching of all subjects when used well and we have all, I hope, seen numerous good examples. At the other end of the scale can they lead to dreary powerpoint type presentations which offer little in terms of enhancment? Can they limit the pedagogy employed?
Would or should IWBs be a vehicle for moving the emphasis to the learner? What exactly does interactive mean? Do we need a shift in thinking about what this technology is for? Is ICT one of the greatest potential instruments for change in classrooms? It has the potential to free some pupils from the challege they face expressing themsleves and even for some accessing the curriculum. Is the ICT going to improve the situation or should our focus be on ourselves as teachers? How do we see the classroom? How do we view ICT? Are our learners growing in autonmy? Is self esteem strengthening?
Next time I plan a lesson using ICT perhaps I need to shift my thinking?
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