Interactive White Boards

Main Text

The interactive whiteboard (IWB) is an increasingly popular educational technology and can be found in approximately one eighth of all K-12 classrooms worldwide (34 million teaching spaces). IWBs are found in 85 % of UK classrooms, and their prevalence is rapidly increasing in many other countries. IWB technology combines a large, touch-sensitive electronic board with a data projector, specialized software, and a computer (which drives the projector and runs the software). The projected computer image is visible to a class and allows direct input via finger or stylus. Thus objects and texts can be easily moved or transformed by teachers or students, allowing experimentation, revision, and feedback on student work and a wealth of interesting interactions amongst teachers and students. All drawings, screen captures, or other objects can be stored and retrieved in future lessons, allowing for a continuous thread of interactions across many class sessions or even school years....