[Advisory] IWBs - An Australian perspective

[Goto, Emma (EdICT)]

Hi Paul,
As a lurker on this list I have finally been motivated to contribute for the first time because I am so saddened by what you have written. I am an Early Years / Key Stage 1 practitioner and an Advanced Skills teacher for ICT. I have seen the power the IWB has had in the classrooms in our three form entry Infant School and in other schools around the county. I think the important thing is that at our level we try to put the children in control as eluded to in the video with discussions of kindergarten practice in Australia. I have seen the Reception children collaborate in small groups to complete a task using the interactive whiteboard. The language observed whilst talking each other through the problem and social skills displayed whilst turn-taking on a task that engages them have been a real joy to watch. I have worked with groups of children throughout the school who have used the IWB to develop interactive stories and talking books using the IWB software and other age appropriate software. The use of the IWB has helped develop children's fine motor control by allowing them to do large scale movements such as in drawing. When teaching a class of year two children I have observed them researching a topic through a variety of media, both electronic and otherwise, and when they have learned something new they have gone and added that information in some form (sound clip recorded via microphone, picture they have drawn, text) to a collaborative mindmap on the whiteboard which has then been used by children to plan writing. These are just a few examples of how the IWB can have a real effect upon children's learning. It has not been a chalk and talk culture, because I do not allow that in my classroom. 
As an AST I have had the great privilege to work with a wide range of teachers within the primary phase. I have, of course, seen many examples of IWB use that could have been replicated by other cheaper means (sugar paper and a felt tip, a TV and video etc) however I have also seen many examples of great practice from wonderful teachers. I think where school's have invested in staff development alongside the investment in hardware good practice has been enhanced and extended by the technology. 
Sadly I have been seconded from the classroom to an advisory role for the immediate future otherwise I would invite you to spend the day in my classroom to show you the potential.
Best Wishes,
Emma Goto
AST for primary ICT, Hiltingbury Infant School  (Hampshire)


  

	From: Paul Hynes [mailto:Paul.Hynes@ssatrust.org.uk] 
	Sent: 09 November 2009 17:37
	To: Ray Tolley; advisory@talk.naace.org; secondary@talk.naace.org
	Subject: RE: [Advisory] IWBs - An Australian perspective
	 Interesting but still nothing new. 10 years on in the UK classroom and still hardly any effective ELECTRONIC whiteboard practice to talk about - they are the biggest and most costly mistake UK education has made and we need to get away from the mentality that just because a lot of money has been spent on them that we need to continue down that path (rough précis of Chris's reasoning in the video) The best thing I have seen so far with a whiteboard is take it off the wall, put it on a table, twist the projector so it points downwards and let people share it (if it allows multi-point access of course) 20th century technology. 19th century teacher-centric pedagogy - one user and a class of mere watchers. Get a £50 cordless bluetooth keyboard and mouse, step away from the front of the classroom and share the power! You won't look back.(feel free to send me the money you have saved if you want!) CheersPaul ====================================================Paul HynesProgramme Leader - Leading Edge Partnership Programme (Partnerships and Performance Networks)Specialist Schools & Academies Truste: paul.hynes@ssatrust.org.ukm: 07793 469 628Get involved with the Future Schools team - www.schoolsnetwork.org.uk/achievement/future Raising achievement through embedding learning technologies conference 9th December 2009 (BAFTA, London)What is the impact of technology on student achievement in your school? 
	If you wish to increase the yield of new technologies in your school this conference brings together examples of free and low cost applications of readily available technology to support learning. The key is simple ideas that are easy and quick to introduce to staff and students. The event includes the leading examples of technology innovation in schools that can be implemented immediately with all teachers across all curriculum areas.More details and booking: https://www.schoolsnetwork.org.uk/ssat/Pages/EventDetails.aspx?eventid=PPN1009455 <http://www.schoolsnetwork.org.uk/ssat/Pages/EventDetails.aspx?eventid=PPN1009455>     
	From: advisory-admin@talk.naace.org [mailto:advisory-admin@talk.naace.org] On Behalf Of Ray Tolley
	Sent: 08 November 2009 19:52
	To: advisory@talk.naace.org; secondary@talk.naace.org
	Subject: [Advisory] IWBs - An Australian perspective
	 I was involved in some of the early discussions of the book referred to, written by Mal Lee and Chris Betcher.  The 6 min video clip by Chris Betcher is well worth watching particular by those not convinced of the benefits of IWBs. See http://shop.acer.edu.au/acer-shop/product/A4093BK   Ray Tolley  FEIDCT, NAACE Fellow, MBILD
	ICT Education Consultant
	Maximise ICT Ltd
	P:  http://raytolley.v2efolioworld.mnscu.edu/ <http://raytolley.v2efolioworld.mnscu.edu/> B:  http://www.efoliointheuk.blogspot.com/ <http://www.efoliointheuk.blogspot.com/> 
	W:  http://www.maximise-ict.co.uk/eFolio-01.htm <http://www.maximise-ict.co.uk/eFolio-01.htm> 
	Winner of the IMS 'Leadership Regional Award 2009' 
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