An interactive whiteboard (IWB), is a large interactive display that connects to a computer. A projector projects the computer's desktop onto the board's surface where users control the computer using a finger, stylus, or other device. The board is typically mounted to a wall or floor stand. IWBs are used in a variety of settings at all levels of education. In some classrooms, interactive whiteboards have replaced traditional whiteboards or video/media systems such as a DVD player and TV combination. Even where traditional boards are used, the online whiteboards often supplement those boards by connecting to a school network digital video distribution system. In other cases, online whiteboards interact with online shared annotation and drawing environments such as interactive vector based graphical websites.
Interactive Whiteboard
Students use an interactive whiteboard
One of the most common uses of the IWB is the shared response activities that foster classroom interactivity. Some manufacturers provide classroom response systems as an integrated part of their interactive whiteboard products. Handheld 'clickers' operating via infrared or radio signals, for example, offer basic multiple choice and polling options for questions that the teacher can pose on the IWB. More sophisticated clickers offer text and numeric responses and can export an analysis of student performance for subsequent review. By combining classroom response with an interactive whiteboard system, teachers can present material and receive feedback from students in order to direct instruction more effectively or else to carry out formal assessments. For example, a student may solve a puzzle involving math concepts on the interactive whiteboard and later demonstrate his or her knowledge on a test delivered via the classroom response system.
In recent years, manufacturers of IWB technology have set up various online support communities for teachers and educational institutions supporting the use of the interactive whiteboards in learning environments. Such websites regularly contribute research findings and administer free whiteboard lessons to promote widespread use of interactive whiteboards in classrooms.
There are now several studies revealing contradictory conclusions about the use of IWBs on student learning. According to the findings of a study conducted by the London Institute of Education, interactive whiteboards demonstrated little significant impact on student performance in Mathematics and English and only a slight improvement Science. At the same time, however, the BECTA (UK) commissioned a study into the impact of interactive whiteboards over a two-year period and showed very significant learning gains, particularly with second cohorts of students, who benefited from the teacher's experience with the device.
Many critics argue that IWB technology is nothing more that an under used giant interactive computer screen that locks teachers into a lecture-style of instruction as opposed to collaborative group discussions. Many teachers refuse to use IWB technology for this very reason. Furthermore, critics claim, sometimes teachers focused more on new IWB technology than on what pupils should be learning. Finally, the focus on interactivity in IWB can lead to over-valuing relatively mundane activities, and sometimes could actually slow the pace of whole class learning as individual pupils take turns at the board during these activities.