5 Engaging Ways to Use an Interactive Whiteboard in Your Classroom

Put simply, the new wave of classroom technology is here: interactive whiteboards! Now, I must admit… I am a tad partial to this new interactive whiteboard technology since stepping away from the middle school classroom (hoping to get a post up about 👈 soon) and becoming an educational consultant for Promethean… BUT… I am confident that this particular type of classroom

technology has the power to change how students learn and how teachers teach!

Before we dive into just a FEW of the ways that interactive whiteboards can be used to deliver high-quality instruction in

any classroom – as well as increase student engagement and foster collaborative learning (sheesh… that was a mouthful) – please be aware that interactive whiteboards come in a variety of shapes and sizes (hah I mean different companies that make different products that have different features). Check out the newest Promethean Interactive Whiteboard 👈

Here are some ideas for using interactive whiteboards in the classroom:

1. Collaborative writing and drawing: Allow students to work together on a shared document, where they can add and edit text and drawings in real time. This
2. Interactive presentations: Create interactive presentations that allow students to actively engage with the material, for example by clicking on images to reveal additional information, or by answering questions that pop up on the screen.
3. Quizzes and games: Use interactive whiteboards to create quizzes and games that help students reinforce their understanding of key concepts. For example, you could create a quiz where students are asked to drag and drop answers to multiple choice questions, or a game where students have to answer questions correctly to advance to the next level.
4. Virtual field trips: Take students on virtual field trips to places that they might not otherwise be able to visit. For example, you could visit a museum or an historical site, and allow students to interact with exhibits and learn more about th

   

   em. Google Earth is great for this (especially in the history and literature content areas)!

5. Video and audio playback: Use interactive whiteboards to play videos and audio clips that are relevant to your lesson. For example, you could play a video of a scientist explaining a complex concept, or a recording of a famous speech.
6. Virtual manipulatives: Use virtual manipulatives to help students explore mathematical and scientific concepts. For example, you could use virtual blocks to demonstrate principles of physics, or virtual manipulatives to help students understand fractions and decimals. I actually worked with Fresno Unified School District to create a model lesson using the district’s adopted math curriculum’s (GoMath) iTools. Check it out!

It goes without saying…. these ideas for using interactive whiteboards in the classroom are truly just the tip of the iceberg. On the other-hand, they have proven to be a great starting point when it comes to figuring out how you might leverage interactive whiteboard technology within the classroom :)

Do you have an interactive whiteboard in your classroom? I would love to know how you and your students are using it! Drop some love in the comments!