DRAFT: Using Interactive White Boards: Creating lesson plans

Interactive whiteboards: How shall we use this available technology? Or shouldn’t we? Does it help engage students? The one thing I find these days in almost every classroom I visit is an interactive whiteboard. What I also find is that although they are there in the classroom, they are NOT used nearly as often as I’d expect.

Task 1:

Please give me 2 specific reasons you found online of why you think that these available technologies are NOT being utilized or are under utilized in the classroom. Then, please suggest how to change these 2 reasons for the better. Again- see if you can see answers to problems online and share & comment on link where possible. Here is an article I found from a veteran teacher against using this technology to get your juices flowing:

http://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2010/03/20/we-dont-need-smart-boards-we-need-smart-people-jerry-brodkey/

Task 2:

-Find a video online of a teacher’s math lesson using an interactive whiteboard that you find would work with students you’re teaching currently OR students you’d like to be teaching eventually.

-Please share the link & comment 2-3 sentences online (if you can) on their lesson with specifics about what you like in the lesson and how can possibly use it in your classroom.

-Then, list 2 specific changes you would tweak on the this lesson as a comment here to make it more interactive for the students & specific to what your teaching.

-Next, explain why you think using an interactive board for this particular lesson works better or worse for you vs. NOT using any technology for this particular lesson.

Task 3:

-create a lesson plan for a 45-minute math class teaching a lesson of your choice. Please assume you WILL be using some kind of interactive white board during your lesson.

-the lesson should include at least 10 minutes of class instruction while using an interactive white board. For this part, please be specific as to what you will specifically do to enhance what the students are seeing on the interactive whiteboard- for ex: if you are going to highlight something or go to a website, or use any visual or audio aid, please let us know what you will be doing to make the lesson more engaging.

-please include any other types of technological techniques for engaging students that you would also include. Here is an example of multiple levels of interactive techniques in one lesson presentation for teaching long division:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixfCPhwOJyc

-in your lesson plan, please include the students having a homework assignment that has them searching online for something pertaining to the lesson.

Task Discussion

SueSullivan March 27, 2013, 9:14 p.m.

I don't (yet) have a lot of experience creating lesson plans and haven't had many opportunities to observe classroom time management. I'm not not yet sure what I could cover in a class period. Task 3 will be a great learning experience, but how should I approach it with my limited knowledge?
Lisa Ritt April 7, 2013, 12:49 p.m.
In Reply To: SueSullivan March 27, 2013, 9:14 p.m.

HI Sue,

Thanks for your comments/questions here. I've been feeling the same way and felt like this subject is an important one to think about because there are smart boards or variations of smart boards in most schools and many classrooms. I think being able to use them and understand how they work is a great teacher tool and one that I also feel very novice at!

I've watched many YouTube videos that are training videos on how to use them and then also teachers presenting lessons on smart boards. I'd start on YouTube...searching for SmartBaord training or Promethean board training. Hope this helps :)

-Lisa
Lisa Ritt April 7, 2013, 12:53 p.m.
In Reply To: Lisa Ritt April 7, 2013, 12:49 p.m.

P.S. Sue& everyone- don't hestitate to call or email me with any questions if you're having trouble! My cel# is on all my emails. WE are ALL in this together :) Cheers!
Gina Mulranen March 25, 2013, 10:44 a.m.

I agree with Katherine about researching the tools with whiteboards. I am also new with whiteboards and if we are going to make a lesson using whiteboard technology, I think I am going to have to research more about the tools as well. If you wanted to put this into your lesson for the week, I think you could incorporate researching tools and how they are utilized in the classroom in Task 1. That way we can evaluate and use those tools in the lessons we create.

I also really like the opportunity to research how other teachers use whiteboards. I think that will also help me to see the tools that they use and how well it works for the lesson. I think it is also very helpful to analyze the teacher's lesson so we can see how well certain tools and lessons work with the whiteboards.

Thank you for being so specific in Task 3! I love the video that you posted with using the interactive boards for long division. I don't think I have the rapping skills, but I do love the ability to move text around and also save my work into Smart documents to post on my website!
Lisa Ritt April 7, 2013, 12:57 p.m.
In Reply To: Gina Mulranen March 25, 2013, 10:44 a.m.

Hi Gina,

Thanks for your comments here :) Yes- there are so many tools available on these different Smart Boards. I am always pleasantly surprised at how many wonderful YouTube videos teachers post and also websites that teachers have created using Smart Boards and tradition white or chalk boards. The FUN factor in Math has to be there for me to stay sane just as much as for the students sake...which you seem like you are SUCH an entertaining teacher...I know your kids enjoy your classes! I really appreciate all your comments and suggestions on cool ways to keep students engaged :) I love getting ideas from yes, teacher rappers, silly songs and poems, etc.

Thanks!
-LIsa
Katherine Hanisco March 25, 2013, 12:35 a.m.

I like that you are very specific with the requirements for task 3. I find that kind of specificity from educators about expectations very valuable as a student.

I notice that you don’t have any tasks that explicitly ask us to research the different tools available on whiteboards. Since I am completely new to whiteboard technology I’m going to have to start with that, so structuring the tasks like this is a good way of building that step in for those of us who are new to whiteboards.
Lisa Ritt April 7, 2013, 12:51 p.m.
In Reply To: Katherine Hanisco March 25, 2013, 12:35 a.m.

Hi Katherine,

Yes- I will update my assignment with your suggestions!! I appreciate your input and I feel the same way about having something specific to research mixed in with the creative :)

Thanks so much!

-Lisa
Maria Droujkova March 24, 2013, 7:11 p.m.

I like the progression from looking at general issues, to making particular lessons. Is there a tool we could use to make whiteboard materials if we don't have access to an actual whiteboard? For example, is there an emulator for PC? I am going to find out during that week!
MgnLeas March 24, 2013, 12:48 p.m.

Task 2 seems interesting. I like the idea of comparing using the white board vs. not using it for whatever reason. It is a great way to think about a lesson in different ways. Thank you for the example for task 3, that helps. I am glad you incorporated the students using technology to further the lesson.
Lisa Ritt April 7, 2013, 12:59 p.m.
In Reply To: MgnLeas March 24, 2013, 12:48 p.m.

Hi Meagan,

I just recently student taught a lesson about slope/graphing points, etc with 7th graders and they LOVED plotting points on the white board and then testing each other as to whether they were correct or not, etc! I just love watching students find that JOY in demonstrating their knowledge and also helping each other learn!

Thanks for your comments :)

-Lisa