An innovative touch screen whiteboard, on which teachers can save lessons on disk, is leading the way towards how classrooms of the future may integrate technology into teaching, writes Bathandwa Mbola.

SMART interactive whiteboards may replace the blackboards and chalk that most adults grew up with, as the technology has become available to increase the level of interactivity in classrooms, into a dynamic learning and training environment.

These 78-inch whiteboards connect to a computer, keyboard and projector. The projector displays the computer’s desktop onto the board’s surface, while users control the computer as usual with the click of a mouse, or a digital pen.

The touch screens and software are already being distributed to South African schools by Edge Interactive.

Explaining the software to BuaNews, Edge Interactive General Manager Johann Strauss said whiteboards reduced teaching time because teachers could save their lessons on disk.

Using an electronic pen, similar to those used by some cellular touch-screen phones, teachers and students can write on the board, and hand over any PC application, web page or image projected on to the board from the PC.

“The software includes extensive libraries of backgrounds, grids, sounds and flipcharts covering a variety of topics from basic literacy and numeracy to science, geography and maths.”

With extended resources and access to over 3500 lessons on the educational software provided, customised material can be created for any learning area.

Information, including text and images, can be highlighted, expanded or altered on screen, and saved for later use.

Mr Strauss explained that through this virtual classroom, pupils were being exposed to technology, familiarising themselves with computers, the mouse and keyboards.

“Teachers then become facilitators and the learners take over. They conduct digital experiments on the board as they are done but without the smell, draw diagrams and work out calculations.”

The most amazing thing about this project," Mr Strauss said "is that there are virtually no running costs. After an initial setup cost, there are no fees to be paid for connecting the schools and staying online to teach the lesson. There are no data or call costs."

Schools using the interactive whiteboard talk enthusiastically about the benefits of having them in their classrooms.

The Bergvliet High School in Cape Town has had similar experiences.

In three years, at a cost of R1.5-million, the school has swapped all its blackboards for whiteboards.

It is the only school in South Africa that has installed whiteboards in all 44 of its classrooms.

Deputy Principal Stephen Price, who has overseen the project, which was funded by parents, told BuaNews that the classroom management was also greatly enhanced.

“This technology gives us flexibility in the classroom and in our preparation. We can access the best educational resources from around the world within minutes, and our learners just love it.

“It makes our pupils better learners. It makes us want to teach and our learners want to learn,” boasted Mr Price.

He said Maths and Science educators had indicated that the software had improved their learners’ skills.

“Since the installation, pupils' marks and attention span had improved and lessons had become more interactive,” said Mr Price.

By just touching the whiteboard with a finger, teachers can draw diagrams, work out calculations and conduct digital experiments.

He said: "This is the type of technology pupils are used to. When you put these devices in classrooms, they respond to it."

“Learners are more focused and eager to interact with the whiteboard because it is a medium that is familiar to them. The technology enables teachers to manage the classroom more efficiently.”

Among the benefits of using interactive whiteboards, Mr Price said, was the ability to produce more professional presentations.

He said, it had given the educators flexibility to use different teaching methods and strategies in the classroom and in their preparation.

Asked on the educator’s response to the technological teaching aid, Mr Price said his colleagues told him it “changed my life,” and “gives me better control.”

Other teachers he said told him that, “I enjoy my teaching more,” “my classes are quieter,” “the kids are more interested,” and “I’m preparing lessons more often using a variety of resources.

A long-term study, commissioned by the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta), supports this.

The study has concluded that the technology has a positive impact on primary school students in maths, science and English.

The Becta research showed that many students progressed more quickly if they consistently used interactive whiteboards for an extended period of time.

The report examined the progress of 7272 students in 332 classrooms.

Researchers also measured how the length of exposure to interactive whiteboards affected students’ progress in English, maths and science.

They also measured the impact the technology had on special needs students, teachers’ preparations and the overall atmosphere in the classroom.

“Research from many countries around the world consistently shows that the use of interactive whiteboards has a positive impact on both teaching and learning,” said SMART’s Chief Executive Officer, Nancy Knowlton.

“This latest study from Becta emphasises that consistent and long-term use of interactive whiteboards is a key to ensuring improved student achievement.

The software is used to teach over 18 million students in more than 600 000 classrooms in more than 100 countries around the world.

In South Africa, the number of schools using the software is not clear but according to SMART the number is growing. - BuaNews