Tech Update: The Interactive Whiteboard Every Classroom Can Afford

Friday, 4/2/2010

With school budgets getting cut nation wide, many educators are turning to creative solutions to stretch each dollar.  We think John Sowash’s idea for a homemade interactive whiteboard is genius for just that reason.

An interactive whiteboard essentially turns the entire classroom whiteboard into a large computer touch-screen. Teachers and students can control the computer by touching the board itself, which makes it a dynamic tool for presenting and manipulating online information. Instead of simply using a PowerPoint or displaying a computer screen via projector, students can interact, manipulate and learn in real time. It’s a powerful tool for the 21st century student.

On Sowash’s blog, the Electric Educator, he explains how to make an interactive whiteboard out of nothing more than a Nintendo Wii remote (about $50), an infrared pen, a PC and a projector. Mixing resources already available in most classrooms with inexpensive new ones like the Wii remote, he was able to create a system similar to the top-of-the-line boards for under $100.

Read his post for step-by-step instructions for how to create a “wii-board” (note: this technology was originally created by Johnny Chung Lee; Sowash adapted it for classroom use).

Once you’ve created your cheap yet effective new tool, watch the video below for step-by-step instructions for use. Then head over to any of the sites below for tips on how to incorporate the WiiBoard into the classroom curriculum.

Interactive Whiteboard Resources

• Electric Educator: Sowash’s blog that features tips, resources, lesson plans and ideas for how to use your interactive whiteboard.
• TeachersLoveSmartBoards.com: This great blog offers interactive whiteboard software reviews, tips for how to create interactive lesson plans, and subject-specific lesson plans.
• Scholastic.com: Scholastic’s interactive whiteboard section offers themed lesson plans and resources for elementary students. They also feature seasonal and holiday-themed resources.
• Edutopia.org: Edutopia has a great articles with ideas for how to integrate interactive whiteboards into curriculum.
• ABCTeach.com: For registered users of the site, the Interactive section features dozens of interactive whiteboard lessons that will spice up any bit of curriculum.

How are you using your smart board in the classroom? We want to hear from you.

Posted by » walden
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Category » Education,