These are the first two technology on top of my head that I would use in my class, provide this class is face-to-face one.
The first one is interactive whiteboard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interactive_whiteboard ). It is a device that add to the side of your class white board, include a projector. This allow you to project the screen on your computer onto the whiteboard and store the writing and your interaction with the whiteboard (using a special pen - provided with the system) into your computer. With other tools available the computer such as internet browser, office tools, this create a better learning environment and engage the students with learning.
For example: you teach the students about geography and during the lecture, you can bring up the maps, some statistic number, or picture of the specific location in the lecture to the whiteboard instead of just dry and boring lecture.
One example site that introduce these interactive whiteboards :
http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Products/SMART+Boards/Front+projection/
The second one is called: clicker, smart response, or learner response system ( one example site that sell these is http://www.prometheanworld.com/server.php?show=nav.16 ). What it does is allow us to quickly capture the response from students or audiences, output the responses, store the response for statistic and data usage that can be used. For example, during your lecture, you want to check for the students understanding of the subject, you can have a quick 1,2 multiple choice question about the topic. The students can quickly response to the questions. Then, you can output the results so that everyone know where they standing and you know if you need to fill up a gap or move on to the next topic.
Althought these are not new technology but they are not widely used. Thus, a lot of their applications and potential usages in education have been left out.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The interactive whiteboard is also known as a smart board, correct? I have used that technology and found it to be very useful - it made the integration of technology that was interactive with both the teacher and students easy to do in a daily classroom routine. I saw that it sparked discussions, and the class was able to investigate any questions that came up in discussion together. The teacher was able to model good researching skills that included working with keywords, website discretion and multiple perspectives. I would love to have a smartboard in my classroom!
ReplyDeleteQuan,
ReplyDeleteI have used both SmartBoard and clickers and fouund them an excellent way to interact with students. I have a portable SmartBoard so I can bring it with me to any classroom with a WhiteBoard. The problem with SOE classrooms is that there's no white board in most classrooms. :-)
Clickers is a good way to poll students opinion and check their understanding. It will also prevent students from dozing off in a large classroom.
Thanks for the nice introduction.
Quan-
ReplyDeleteCoincidentally, my class last semester spent a fair amount of time on interactive white boards and one of the other students had just implemented the clickers and was very enthused about them. I totally agree the interactivity takes the white or chalkboard to a whole new level. The immediate feedback provided by the clickers is a huge plus for the teacher in seeing how the class is grasping material!!
Hi Quan,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your thoughtful insight into the use of Smartboard. Last year I have started using the promethean board to teach my Hmong students. My students were really excited about the interactive way when we used the board. But due to the only basic training That I've got, I was limited to using it as an interactive white board. But in due time, I hope to be able to develope interactive projects such as history projects for the students and that would require the application of ecurriculum and efolios. application.
It's good to know that everyone like these and some already start using it. I still surprise when I hear they has been used in big corporation for like at least 5 years ago. However, at that time, it is a new technolog which is hard to obtain for school while big corporation have budget to do so. I wonder what will be the next step of interactive whiteboard and clicker.
ReplyDelete@Emily: yes, interactive whiteboard is also call by the name smartboard. There is the company Smart making these board. Thus they prefer to call it by the name smartboard.