Interactive Whiteboards (IWB)

Interactive Whiteboards are defined according to BBC as  an instructional tool that allows computer images to be displayed onto a board using a digital projector or a wipeable board with a white surface used for teaching and presentations. It allows information exchange using physical handwriting or graphics. Whiteboards are powerful tool for teachers to engage classrooms in learning. the facilitators can manipulate the variables on the board by using a finger as a mouse, directly from the screen. Images and other items can be dragged, clicked and copied and notes can be hand written which can be translated later into text and be saved for revision or other purposes.

IWBs are powerful tools in that they add synergy and quislingism, allowing the integration of media content into a lecture supporting cooperative learning. when used effectively, IWBs create a wide range of learning opportunities. In many case IWBs are used as blackboards, limiting their full potential of use in different environments. 

This type of whiteboards are now available mainly in universities and in privileged schools with a very slow adaptation.  Adaptation had been slow due to the fact that some teachers are reluctant to change, or some believe that change is not always with desirable results and thus, IWBs are costly. some suggest that they need certain skills to be able to use it, which require the to go for training. Those with limited resources are however disadvantage of have different methods to engage students.

IWBs were originally developed for use in business to demonstrate patterns, concepts and record meetings. however, they have been found to be useful in variety of fields. For example the following features can be used to engage audience in different environments:  

• Add notes

• Highlight text

• Add  drawings and then save them to be printed out and shared, or added to a practical learning environment

• Show pictures and videos to a lecture theatre. You can label parts or highlight elements of an image

• Demonstrate the content available on a website in a teacher-directed activity

Therefore Interactive whiteboards as a pedagogical tool promote creative teaching and motivates students into absorbing information. Because it allows teachers to accommodate all different learning styles,tactile learners get to touch and move things around the board while making notes and highlighting elements, visual learners benefit from a clear view of what is happening on the board and Audio learners can participate in a class discussion

An interactive whiteboard save cost as it demonstrates how one computer can provide learning stimuli for a whole classroom. This is more cost effective than equipping an entire IT room, or every student with a laptop. This is an extremely flexible tool which can be used in various age groups from youngest primary school children to university graduates.

Interactive Whiteboard in Practice for example: In sport studies, you can video tape a sporting event, then the coach can pause the video at a certain point and demonstrate by drawing on the board what the players should have done.