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Interactive whiteboard

What is it?

An interactive whiteboard (often shortened to IWB) is an interactive display screen that connects to a computer and projector. A projector projects the computer’s desktop onto the board’s surface, where users control the computer using a pen, finger or other device such as tablets or an interactive audience response system. 

A variety of interactive whiteboard software is available that allows users to manipulate objects in use and edit mode. Resources can be created that incorporate text, clipart, animations, videos, Flash files, sound, hyperlinks, databases and spreadsheets. 

What does it look like?

Students using interactive whiteboard

What's happening in Victorian schools?

  • Interactive whiteboards showcase - An excellent collection of videos, research, web resources and recommendations for using interactive whiteboards in Victorian classrooms. See: Interactive whiteboards showcase
  • Intellikeys and electronic whiteboards in special settings (La Trobe Special School, 2008) - In this project, adaptive technologies were trialled to give students opportunities to access programs and software currently utilised in the school. A digital story was developed which showcased some of the ways the interactive whiteboards were used in a special setting and the accessories that were used to enhance student learning were demonstrated.
  • Task magic (Croydon Secondary College, 2008) - In this project, interactive authoring tools were used to make the classroom more engaging in order to improve student motivation and boost their confidence in Languages other than English (LOTE). Task Magic was used to create many different resources for the LOTE classroom. Students used the interactive whiteboard to play language games in teams.
  • The effect of interactive whiteboards on teaching and learning (Shepparton Cluster 2007) – An action research project on integrated ICT through the use of interactive whiteboards.
  • Bringing lifelong learning to life (Drouin Primary School, 2008) - This project created the opportunity for teachers, parents and students to learn together and to develop skills in ICT through targeted professional development and out of hours. The regional Ultranet Coach spent time with each teacher in their classroom to mentor, coach and demonstrate different ICT applications aimed to increase students’ engagement.
  • Developing digital resources for IWBs (Mount Beauty Primary School, 2008) - The  project involved the creation and development of digital curriculum for the interactive whiteboards to engage students in their learning and allow teachers to use digital assessment and feedback tools. Over 100 digital lessons were created by staff through the use of the software Easiteach.