Okay, no one get mad at me, but I am loving this! I love being in the classrooms and being able to chat with my participants.
I have completed three observations and one interview so far. I have been pleasantly pleased with what I have seen and heard. One participant that I have observed is Ann at Elementary school B and her fourth grade classroom. All twenty-five of her students were present on this day and extremely well behaved. The students were very familiar with the IWB which tells me that the board is used frequently in the classroom. For example, the board is on a stand and if it is bumped, it has to be re-oriented. When the class and teacher noticed that the board was out of alignment, the student who was currently at the board participating in the activity immediately reset the board without having to be directed in the process by the teacher. What a treat! Ann’s interview verified exactly what I witnessed in the observation. She gave me specific examples of how her students were involved in using the IWB. She went on to say that her students have become more responsible for not only their learning but also in teaching others. She said that it is common place for her students to use the board to teach each other or to review.
The interviews with the teachers at High School E were also exciting for me both professionally and as a researcher. It appears (from early analysis) that the IWB in the classroom has begun to change the way these teachers teach. According to them, prior to having the boards, their students rarely got out of their seats. Both teachers are including student interaction with the board in every lesson and have begun to use the IWB at learning stations! Can you imagine? In the high school? I was thrilled! And one teaches freshmen andone teaches seniors! Both went on to give examples of how the IWB is used in their classrooms such as venn diagramming, completing charts and tables, and creating their own presentations for literature. And I was excited to hear that the engagement level of the students in these classrooms has increased dramatically since the IWB.
Now I realize that we have a long way to go before classrooms are totally changed to better serve the needs of today’s learners, but I am glad to see that we (at least in a small part) are on our way. The early findings of my research indicate a different outcome that the other studies I have read regarding IWBs and their impact on instruction. Yipee!
Roxie Miller
Comments (5)
Students really do love using IWBs. It makes them want to help out with class. I wonder what could be done with that attitude improvement. I only had my IWB for 1-2 months during my last year teaching, so only a small amount of its potential was realized. Sometimes I miss the classroom when I see all the innovations that teachers have access to now. Everything that I love about teaching can be done so much better with the resources in your program. I wonder if access to technology will have an impact on teacher retention.
Posted by Daniel Skinner | March 20, 2009 6:37 PM
Posted on March 20, 2009 18:37
It is nice to see that you are liking your project. It seems that you are finding what you wanted to find also. I was glad to see that the engagement level of the students in these classrooms has increased since the IWB. I an also looking in to student engagement in technology, but I can only imagine what could be done with the IWB. It seems you have a great start. Your final paper will be interesting. My school can only wish for IWB's. First we need to learn how to use the technology we have.
Posted by Jill Mann | March 21, 2009 12:21 AM
Posted on March 21, 2009 00:21
The research you have read does not look favorably on IWB? I find all this very interesting. Teachers love the thought of these things and I rarely see them being used to their full potential.
Any observations involving the wireless slates? I always thought of those favorably in at the high school level.
Posted by Jason Mammano | March 21, 2009 7:04 PM
Posted on March 21, 2009 19:04
Daniel's comment is interesting. I have just had discussions during my research about integrating technology and two of the teachers mentioned exactly that. Teachers are beginning to see the gaps between each school's technology resources and definitely are asking about specific resources available in a prospective classroom.
I am very happy to see this research be favorable. It definitely is not consistent with my typical experiences, but if their are pockets of success such as these 3 folks, then it can only improve.
Posted by Kyle Wood | March 22, 2009 8:16 AM
Posted on March 22, 2009 08:16
So glad that you are pumped up about your research!! :)
It's also excellent that you triangulated your data and are observing and hearing similar data. Your research will no doubt influence future trainings and possibly funding.
Posted by Alecia Jackson | March 24, 2009 11:48 AM
Posted on March 24, 2009 11:48