Educators around the world experience mixed feelings when it comes to having interactive whiteboards in the classroom. Most despise them, but there are many benefits to having an interactive whiteboard; they can be valuable when used in a contemporary classroom.
We’re going to examine 5 of the biggest reasons educators don’t like whiteboards and how the challenges that come with them can be overcome.
Interactive Whiteboards Are “Too Complicated”
It is natural for humans to complicate even the simplest of things. Many times, educators are just looking to replace their chalkboards. Still, companies are rushing to put out digital displays filled with utilities and different software in the world of competition.
This may seem fun at first, but the more apps and software a device comes with, the more difficult it will be to learn how to use properly. To combat this, schools should opt for simpler interactive whiteboards.
Interactive Whiteboards Lack Storage
Unlike a conventional whiteboard, interactive boards allow you to draw and write on them, then save that file for later use. Over the last decade or so, PowerPoint presentations and/or Word Documents have become commonplace in the classroom.
This type of democratizing software is not available for interactive whiteboards, and each major brand has its own type of file. This becomes an issue when schools change brands and cannot convert files. To alleviate this, schools can simply opt to stay with one brand.
Interactive Whiteboards Are Incompatible With Teaching Pedagogy of Today
Each interactive whiteboard claims to provide multi-functional features. However, educators still feel like they are glorified projectors and do not enhance the learning experience.
Tech is meant to make lessons more interactive and engaging for the learner. Even with smartboards, educators are still at the front of the class, presenting the same way they would with a regular chalkboard. To combat this, educators could allow their learners to come to the front of the class and write on the board.
Interactive Whiteboards Don’t Have Integration Processes
When schools don’t purchase interactive whiteboards for the right reasons, learners and educators pay the price. In some cases, educators feel the school purchases the boards not to act as a teaching instrument, but to promote the school.
Educators should discuss with the school board why interactive whiteboards are being purchased, and it helps to understand the benefits this tech can provide.
Interactive Whiteboards Are High Maintenance
Even if schools have set up their infrastructure and the educators’ whiteboards for implementation, they often fail to use them effectively. This comes down to a matter of training.
Educators should be appropriately trained on how interactive whiteboards should be used and instructed on their features. The implementation of interactive whiteboards should be led by a comprehensive plan.
Conclusion
Interactive whiteboards can be a handy tool for increasing engagement in the classroom, but they must be implemented correctly and educators must understand how to use them properly.