Interactive Whiteboard (IWB)

Interactive Whiteboard (IWB)

Do you know what IWB is? Perhaps you've heard of some of their brand names like SMART Board, ActivBoard and eBeam are some of the most widely used at this time. Now, let me tell you what IWB is actually. IWB is the short form of Interactive Whiteboard. It is a large interactive display that connects to a computer and projector. A projector projects the computer's desktop onto the board's surface where users control the computer using a pen, finger, stylus, or other device. The board is typically mounted to a wall or floor stand. Similar to the way in which PDAs or smartphones are calibrated, an IWB must be oriented so that where the user presses on the board, is accurately represented on the screen. Some boards, such as the SMART Board, are touch-sensitive, and others rely on an invisibly gridded whiteboard and an electronic pen.

The cost for IWB is very expensive and we know that some school do not afford to but one. But, for me IWB has many advantages for the student during their learning session. Thus, I am totally agreed if all school in Malaysia can have interactive whiteboard for each class. It provides ways to show students anything which can be presented on a computer's desktop like educational software, web sites, and others. In addition, IWB allow teachers to record their instruction and post the material for review by students at a later time. This can be a very effective instructional strategy for students who benefit from repetition, who need to see the material presented again, for students who are absent from school, for struggling learners, and for review for examinations.

Moreover, by using IWB, teachers can directly touch the interactive whiteboard to control everything during the teaching instead of standing in front of the laptop, teaching, and go here and there. This is because the IWB emulates both mouse and keyboard. The teacher can conduct a presentation or a class almost exclusively from the whiteboard. It can also make the teaching and learning session becomes more collaborative and interactive as students can come to the front and do the activity on the IWB. If teachers are unaware of the features of an IWB and how they link to an interactive pedagogy, often times the IWB becomes nothing more than a technological teaching aid.

In my opinion, in order for IWBs to have their greatest positive influence on student learning and achievement, an interactive school culture is needed. A culture that embraces change and embodies a positive attitude or “buy in” to the idea of transforming teaching and learning through IWB use, provides the foundation on which the other parts of the framework are developed. If senior school officials are successful in providing a clear understanding as to what is involved in creating an interactive IWB culture, then positive IWB effects are more likely. The culture needs to be one that is shared by all school stakeholders including administrators, teachers, staff, students, and parents. To help in creating this culture, teachers need to be given the training and time to explore the IWB and its uses. Therefore, for IWB to have the greatest effect on teaching and learning, the total cost of an implementation is likely to go beyond the cost of IWB equipment alone.