IWB+Tips

=Tips for using an Interactive Whiteboard (IWB)=

=Day to day use=

Boards:

 * Calibrate the board regularly.
 * Don’t use ordinary whiteboard pens (avoid keeping any near to the Interactive Board). If you need to use a whiteboard - use a whiteboard. Your interactive whiteboard will last much longer without whiteboard marker pen marks on it.
 * Using a paintbrush (instead of your finger) when ‘dragging’ avoids a build up of grease.
 * Avoid turning the projector on / off frequently (as this shortens bulb life).
 * Remember the projector features such as freeze screen, hide, mute.
 * Keep a spare pen safe in case the pen gets lost or is faulty.
 * You can showcase written work using a scanner or document reader (The ICT manager could set up a shared area for useful resources.)
 * Use pen holders attached to the board so that pens don’t go ‘walkabout’.
 * Share flipcharts, pages and resources across year groups whenever possible.
 * Be careful how you clean the board (there are instructions for board care).
 * Use the projector remote to turn on / off (this avoids the need to calibrate so often).
 * Control the light in the classroom (by using blinds or turning off any rows of lights competing with the board.
 * Have back up plans for when (not if) the technology has a bad day! (Activities which don’t rely on equipment.)
 * Remember the other features the board can be linked to - DVDs, Videos, Camcorders, Document scanners, microscopes, sound can all be played directly through most board / projector combinations.
 * Desktop capture can be used to keep work which was annotated in other programs or the Internet.
 * You can print out pages for any children with special needs as a reminder; to scaffold; or prompt.
 * Take time to set up useful folders in which to save work. It will pay dividends the following years.
 * Try to keep one ‘working file’ and one ‘clean copy’ of any work to aid recapping and using work in future lessons (create them as templates).
 * Static electricity can sometimes build up causing the board not to function properly. (Disconnecting and reconnecting cables sometimes helps.)
 * Encourage your pupils to be active in how to use the IWB. (They will often remember how to do things when we forget
 * and they are not usually afraid of exploring.)

Software:

 * Take time to get to know the tools (but focus on only a few at a time).
 * If possible load the software onto a laptop or home computer. (It helps to prepare work at home and get used to the software without the pressure of pupils in the classroom.)
 * Be ready to deal with any issues when using handwriting recognition (eg - rude words, self-esteem of children using board, spelling problems…)
 * Be careful when using the Internet. Safe search engines are available.
 * You could use ‘no show’ or ‘freeze’ on the projector while you check the page before the children see it.
 * Think about what you want to do with objects in other programs before you paste them into your page.
 * (If you want to edit text in the page then you will need to highlight the text before copying it. If you just want to annotate a piece of text then you can just use the ‘photograph’ tool if your IWB supports it.
 * Don’t forget that most IWB software thinks of text as ‘objects’ so that you can move them around and scale the size easily. This means that people sometimes forget how to edit these text boxes.
 * Remember that there are often several ‘layers’ used in Interactive whiteboard software.
 * A magnifying glass can be set up to reveal hidden parts of the screen by ‘making a hole’ in one of the layers.
 * The ‘reveal’ tool or torch can be used to highlight or mask areas of the screen.
 * Have a look at the CDs supplied with the board e.g. Teamboard Suite. Often they contain basic functions that allow you to work with your board with ease without relying on other IWB software e.g. Easiteach.

Projectors:

 * Clean filters regularly. Dust makes a large difference to the brightness and longevity of the projectors.
 * How often do the filters in your classrooms need to be cleaned? (Schools are dusty environments and filters typically should be cleaned at least once a month.)
 * Projector bulbs are very expensive. They need to be budgeted for. Have a look at the predicted life.
 * Don’t switch off the power to projectors until the fans have finished cooling them down properly.
 * Projectors can have more than one input. (They often have the facility to be connected to 2 computers and a video / DVD / Camcorder.)
 * How easy is it to gain access to the filters when the projector is mounted?
 * Some people are colour blind. (Yellow, light blue, light green can cause problems.)
 * Sometimes it helps to switch off central lights which compete with the projector.
 * Try not to move or knock projectors when they are on.
 * Some colours are hard to see from the back.
 * Blinds can be used to cut out unwanted light.
 * Avoid switching the projectors on and off in short periods.
 * Remember projectors have features too: ‘Keystone’ is useful to adjust the shape of the projected image. ‘Mute’ can be used to hide the image, sound or both on some projectors. ‘Video’, ‘ Computer’ and ‘Input’ can switch between the different projector connections / inputs. ‘Freeze’ is useful because you can look at or work on the next page while the pupils see the previous page.
 * Please take account of the health and safety issues. All users need to be aware of them (including pupils).

Computer system:

 * Is there a space for a 2nd computer nearby? It is often useful if one is dedicated to the board.
 * It is extremely advantageous to have Internet access for the computer driving the whiteboard. There is a vast array of resources on the Internet.
 * The ‘Help’ sections in software will often try to refer to Internet help sites.
 * Are there easily accessible connections for a laptop?
 * Consider how you want to store and share files so that they are easily accessible.
 * It is important to choose good file names so that it is easy to find later.
 * Sometimes it is useful to arrange files by date (so that they are easily found and matched and can be cross-referenced to teacher’s plans).
 * Is there capability for a wireless system (in order to increase the level of interactivity)?

Classroom management:

 * If possible cascade learning amongst staff (and pupils).
 * Try to get the children using the IWB as an everyday tool.
 * Remember we all learn in different styles. Consider all multiple intelligences in your planning.
 * Encourage the children to use the board to recap or do the plenary themselves if appropriate.
 * Make sure you have an area in which you can address the class but stay out of the glare of the projector.
 * Behaviour – Think about how you use the board. If possible step to the side rather than turn your back.
 * Encourage the pupils to use the board when presenting to the rest of the class when appropriate.
 * Can all pupils see the board clearly? Is the text large enough? Are there any ‘glare spots’ on the screen?
 * Keep a list of sites to help. There is a huge number of resources published on the Internet.
 * Keep a book of questions/techniques next to the computer so you (or a child) can write down new finds/problems.
 * One of the strongest features of the board is the ability to help children to recap. (Keeping your files in good order makes this possible.)

Starting off / setting up:

 * Some interactive whiteboards are more robust than others. How is yours likely to be treated?
 * Which one best serves your staff’s way of working?
 * Which boards have the best software and resources available? Are the resources free?
 * Be aware of the location of windows and how the sun travels around the classroom during the day.
 * Are the power and data cables conveniently placed? Are there sufficient sockets / points?
 * Are the cables easily accessible to someone using a laptop?
 * How bright do you need your projector? Look at the Lumens needed before purchase.
 * What are your sound and video requirements? Are you going to run DVDs through the system etc?
 * Number of Connections – Do you need to place additional computers next to the one driving the board?
 * Is there a printer / scanner available to connect to? (Printouts help the less able. Scanners can showcase.)
 * What is the best height? (Who uses it most?)
 * Consider whether the ceiling is likely to have asbestos. (It will mean you need a wall beam or portable projector.)
 * Who is going to provide technical support?
 * Are there people who can help with advice?
 * What type of computer is likely to be connected to the board most often?
 * Is there an opportunity to securely fix a ceiling-mounted projector? If Yes – try to arrange for a ceiling-mounted socket so that the projector is not accidentally switched off. If No – try to arrange a location where the projector is disturbed as little as possible and people do not have to look into the lens.
 * Some projectors are able to receive wireless signals from computers. (These are very useful if you want to use a tablet laptop or have a wireless network.)
 * Arrange for there to be a clear space by the side of the board so that users can get out of the light.
 * Find out if there are any hidden costs. Eg installation of additional power points, training, bulb replacements etc.
 * Where do you want to save files to? Will there be work which can be shared amongst colleagues?
 * Inset may be more effective if the staff have time with the boards to find out ‘what they want to know’.
 * Have your computers got virus / spyware / advert / pop-up protection?
 * Is there a member of staff who could help support the others? It can help when there is a teacher who is not familiar with the board. It helps when the equipment fails.
 * Is there a space for an ordinary whiteboard next to the IWB? It helps when you want to leave things on the board for long periods.
 * Does your computer meet the minimum specification / requirements?
 * If you have to buy a computer to meet the minimum requirements does it make sense to buy a laptop (which may also help meet the laptops to teachers ratio)?
 * How easy is it to access the filters when the projector is mounted? If you are thinking of only installing projectors, seek advice about where to mount them so that should you decide to add IWBs in the future, the projectors won’t need to be relocated.

Requirements:

 * Is the projector bright enough?
 * Consider general health and safety information.
 * Is the projector able to deal with a dusty environment?
 * Posters should be placed next to each whiteboard indicating how to use it safely.
 * Consider whether steps next to the board would be helpful / safe or not.
 * Does your computer meet the minimum requirements / specification?
 * How often does the filter need to be cleaned and how easily is it accessed?
 * Is there an area out of the glare of the projector for users to stand in?

Alternative Options (instead of or as well as an IWB):

 * A podium works in the same way as the Interactive whiteboard but allows the user better eye-contact with the children and allows the user to escape the glare of the projector.
 * Wireless keyboards and mice can add an extra level of interactivity. (They are very useful to avoid having children getting up and sitting down to use the board all the time.
 * Data projectors offer many of the advantages of the IWB at a small fraction of the cost.
 * Tablet laptops with wireless connections to projectors have all the advantages of the wireless keyboards / mice with the additional advantage that you can use a pen on the screen and you can take it home to prepare work.
 * They keep the users out of the glare of the projector. They stop the ‘caught in the headlights’ effect of coming out to the front of the class. They also encourage children who don’t normally contribute to have a go.)

Peripherals:
Peripherals can really enhance the Multimedia or Interactive nature of IWBs. You can use…
 * DVDs
 * Sound amplifiers
 * Videos
 * Camcorders
 * Document scanners
 * Digital cameras
 * Digital microscopes
 * Digital blue cameras
 * Scanners
 * Voting systems
 * Art tablets

Questions:
Like all teaching, it pays to reflect regularly.
 * How interactive are your lessons / Is it just chalk and talk?
 * Are you making good use of the features?
 * Are you being seduced by the technology at the expense of the learning?
 * What are the children getting from the experience?
 * Is it just to inspire or is it driving learning forward?
 * Are you using the equipment safely?
 * Could other people benefit from your resources too?
 * Are you making resources which are already ‘out there’?
 * How can you minimize extra work?

Adapted from original provided by: Nadeem Qureshi http://www.chevening.kent.sch.uk/qpages/downloads/w/Tips_IWB.doc

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