This week marks the beginning of my practical research work regarding the use of the interactive whiteboard (IWB) in 11th grade English classes. We could only start on 27th September due to the disappearance of the software associated with this smart tech device. As usual with big schools and lots of people, it took some while to find where the installation CD was.
When it finally appeared (safe and sound) I had already gone to the company’s website and downloaded it, in order to install it in my own computer. Although we could use a school laptop, I decided that it would be safer to use my own so, my students and I are going to use it throughout the school year.
My first experience was quite rewarding. In spite of feeling that I am still very far away from knowing 100% how the IWB works, I could notice certain important features, such as the ability to use and to work on images taken from the Internet (about cultural diversity and Australia), and to display videos taken from YouTube.
My aim for the following week is to enlarge my knowledge on the potentialities of Interactive Whiteboards, namely by exploring smart tech’s website, where one can find tutorials and suggestions concerning the use of IWB inside classrooms.