Can an interactive whiteboard ease my admin burden?

Thursday, December 10th, 2009 | IWBs

An interactive whiteboard is not an admin tool.  It does not claim to be one.  This does not mean that one can not perform some admin functions with it – but don’t expect too much.

Let’s use the analogy of a pen knife to explain the relationship between admin and an interactive whiteboard:

The pen knife dates from the time when quills and inkwells were writing tools.  This small knife was used to whittle the end of a quill so that a sharp pen nib was created.  When the nib needed sharpening – it wore down with use – the pen knife was used to sharpen it.  This explains why it’s called a “pen” knife.

The pen knife also proved to be useful for other purposes such as opening letters, tightening screws, carving, cutting and scraping.  When the fountain pen replaced the quill, the pen knife continued to be used for other purposes.  It is used right till today – you often find a pen knife in the pocket of a biltong eater.

But can a pen knife be used to cut down a tree?  In theory it can, but then it must be a very thin tree, or you must have a lot of patience.  Other tools are much better suited for cutting down trees.

The same principle applies to interactive whiteboards: the more they are used, the more uses are discovered for them in the classroom.  But they are not admin tools and their use in this area is limited.

Innovative teachers have found ways to use their boards to lighten their admin load.  For instance, instead of going through the process of filling in an attendance register, a teacher can display an electronic version of the register on the board, and then invite learners to click their presence.  An added advantage to this approach is that the personal responsibility of being present in class is impressed on the minds of learners.

Interactive whiteboards are not admin tools – but through use you may discover ways in which it can lighten your load.

Click here for more information about interactive whiteboards.

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