Increase Student Collaboration in the Classroom
For many of us growing up we learned on a chalkboard or dry erase board. Students today are learning in a way that is very different from how our educational system was originally designed. Teachers have transformed classrooms into interactive hubs where students, who are digital natives, can flourish in an environment that is familiar to them.
Strategy to Keep Students Engaged
Think about it. Students today live in a digital world where they have personal devices at their fingertips whether it’s an iPad, phone, laptop or chromebook. For teachers, using interactive learning has moved from being an innovative strategy to a necessity to keeps students engaged in the classroom. Research shows that a teacher who effectively implements educational technology such as interactive displays will see an increase in student engagement; this in turn leads to learning improvement. Some examples are:
- No matter the age of the student, clear bright images keep the student focused and engaged.
- Collaboration between students help active learning and participation.
- Increases student interest by adding a video link or additional documents to launch during lesson plan.
- Participation is familiar to students because of the touch capabilities available on an interactive whiteboard.
- Mirroring or screen sharing (casting images) from student’s devices encourages students to participate and share information.
- Students, if needed, can join from home and participate.
- Overall, more enjoyable for students to thrive.
Share and Distribute Lessons
For years, teachers were spending their time creating packets for students to hand out in class. But now, teachers can use interactive whiteboards to take screenshots of their lessons, save them and distribute to students electronically via PowerSchool, Blackboard or some other school related software. The content options are limitless: Teachers can save their own notes so they can pick right up where they left off, or they can create review materials for students to study with at home. Another significant benefit is for students who are falling behind or having a hard time taking notes in real time. If they miss something, they can easily refer back to the lesson on their own time. No more struggling to keep up with the lesson.
Reduces Classroom Costs
The costs for classroom supplies are significantly reduced, as students do not need to rely on materials to experience the lesson. For example, if we revert back to traditional dry erase boards and chalkboards, they do require other tools like dry markers, erasers, chalk and other accessories to use them.
Another example of reducing cost is not having the expense of printing lesson plans, or packets to send home. All materials for the lesson plan are online and readily available for students in the classroom and at home.
Helping Students Succeed
A teacher is a person who helps students acquire knowledge, competence and virtue, via the practice teaching. Although the overall method of teaching has not changed, but the vehicle in which students learn has changed. Interactive whiteboards are now the vehicle, or hub for students to learn and thrive in the classroom. Teachers, themselves continue to learn how to interact with students in this new environment and latest technology.
If you are interested in learning more about the technology Smile has to offer as well as a demonstration on the latest Interactive Whiteboards, please contact us.
