Alia Alsulaim

Module 2
10- 15
Task one:
Watching video about interactive whiteboard. I also recorded video about whiteboard for EDT
7510 class, presents by Mr. Moore. It is like a lesson guide for the beginner users to use the
interactive white board. In this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXOXxoU1lMU

Task two:
1- what are the differences between four of the interactive whiteboards mentioned above (Smart,
Promethean, Mimeo, eBeam)?
2- what are the similarities? Could you find a price comparison? Why do you think the price is difficult
to find?
3-Which was the most costly? The least?
Smart

Differences

Similarities

Most cost

Promethean

1-multi-touch (up to 4
students) can touch
screen at the same time.
2- Has lessons bank
Notebook

1-up to six students

work together
simultaneously on a
joint task.
2-ActivInspire
software (a full blown
presentation program)
Smart and promethean are had many aspects of
similarity. Both allow using fingers or pointer,
software and both considering as a higher prices
interactive whiteboard.
$1999
$1795

Least price

eBeam

Mimio

1- it has a unique feature

called eBeam
Connect. it is as a cloud
between teacher
devices.

1-can transform a
dry erase board to
an interactive board.
2-Does not allow
using fingers to
point in the board.

eBean and Mimio are had many aspects of

similarity. For example they are both have a
cheaper prices, the size of screen depends on the
board used, and there is no wide bank of lessons
$649.00
$729

4-Do you have access to any of these? Which one? How do you use it?
Yes, when I taught in Saudi Arabia I used to use a Smart whiteboard as a teaching tool.
Although I had the computer lab with 18 computers, using smart whiteboard was useful. The
lessons bank (notebook) and how it attack students attention was great. Save my work and the
ability to display to other classes was a helpful feature.

5-With the newest trends being emphasis on tablets and mobile devices, how do you see the
future of Interactive Whiteboards? See Is the iPad Mightier than the Interactive Whiteboard?
From my experience teaching with a whiteboard, I see that tablets and mobile replace the
interactive whiteboard. First tablets and mobile are cheaper than the whiteboard. Also, move the
whiteboard to the home is impossible, which make it useful only in the classroom. In contrary
with mobile or tablets that students can have their own and bring them to the class. Finally, the
growing in the IOS apps is attacking educators to prefer tablet and mobile rather than the IWB.

Task Three:
1- Identify four resources you found, and explain how they might be useful to an

educator.
Smart Exchange: I searched about a computer lesson. The website has an easy access to
contents, so that will help teachers find what they looking for quickly. I found many
lessons related to the computer topic like a computer parts lesson and a computer
concepts lesson. The file size is small so download it will take few second from teachers.
http://exchange.smarttech.com/#tab=0

Wiztech: the great feature of the website that it has a lessons in many language
Spanish, French, and polish for many subjects. But it requires register in the

website to allow download the lesson

http://www.wizteach.com
Topmarket: the navigation on the left of each page from the website make an easy
access to teachers. Also some videos ask to choose the resolution to fit the IWB

that videos will display at it.

http://www.topmarks.co.uk/Interactive.aspx?cat=110
Promethean Planet: As the website says Created by teachers, for teachers
It is wealthy resource website that can educator searched about any topic to
display through the IWB. In addition to download bottom, there is a preview
bottom has a lot of details about the video like description, grade, long, and size.
http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/

2- How may these devices be helpful in teaching students with disabilities?

I think the interactive whiteboard have an alternative way to help a student with
disabilities. For example, using a magnifier and hear the text read aloud with Narrator.
Also, the size of the board makes the vision clearer. Those features will help the teacher

to display the lessons with the way that appropriate for each disability type. If the
students has a deaf or heard of hearing the Narrator will be a great tool to assist. If the
student has a low vision, the big size of board and magnifier will be useful device for
teachers and students.
Task Four:
1-How difficult would it be to learn to use and interactive whiteboard?
It is not difficult at all. For me I first like to be familiar with the hardware or software try to
discover what is it, then looking for tutorials. When I used interactive whiteboard I did that. I
opened it try to figure out what I can use it for then when I liked it I started looking for tutorial on
the Internet.

2-Were the tutorials helpful? Explain

Yes, the tutorials were helpful. I like learning from Atomic Learning. It is very
clear and organized. I like the tutorial about SMART Board Notebook 9.5 Training
because it similar to what I used to use. Using the magnifier tool and Customizing the
toolbar are new for me and will safe my time in next time using IWB

Task Five:
Summary and reflection
TechLearn in the UK writes the article Interactive Whiteboards
in Education. It begins with divide the interactive whiteboard to two types,

which are Electronic whiteboard and a large physical display panel. Then the
article highlights the positive effects of using IWB. For example, it allows the
learner to participate in a group discussion without note taking. Also, it is a
way to grab students' attention as a fun tool. On the other hands, the article
mentions the disadvantages like the high prices and the ability to use
remote for inappropriate comments. Resistive Membrane, Electro-Magnetic,
and Laser Scanners are the three types of the interactive whiteboard
technology that are discussed in the article.
Interactive whiteboard can be used to do many tasks like
present the videos through it. Also, the ability of save notes, concepts make
represent same lesson to other classes easier for teachers. The technical,
functional, accessibility, security and coast are issues that a Tech persons or
decision maker have to remember when decide to use IWB. Finally, the
article adds some important alternative related to IWB like the wireless
keyboard, wireless graphics pads, Table PCs, and IWB tablets. At the
conclusion of the article, Techlearn mentions the positive experience of using
IWB in the education at U.K these days and for the future.
After I read this paper, I create a good background for technical
parts related to the interactive whiteboard. Like how do they work? the
coast, and the alternative interactive whiteboard tablets. In my future, as a
technology coach, knowing this information will help me to make a right
decision for the question which IWB is the best for our school?