Uses of an Interactive Whiteboard

Internet Lessons

• A teacher can show students how to navigate the Internet from her computer while her work displays on the whiteboard. She can show how to access a search engine, how to perform word and phrases searches and how to save information found. Students can ask questions while watching the teacher navigate on the Internet. The teacher can call on a student to come to her desk and demonstrate his understanding of what she just taught.
  
  

Slideshow Presentations

• A particular lesson can be presented on the interactive whiteboard from a slide presentation. The organized steps help the students understand the concepts in a step-by-step fashion. Science and history lessons can easily be put into slide format. Students can also do reports for the class using the whiteboard with a slide presentation.
  
  

Video Displays

• Videos can easily be shown on the interactive whiteboard either from the Internet or from DVDs played on the teacher's computer. The larger projection makes it easier for students to watch the video. Teachers should make sure to have a good sound system if using videos with the whiteboard.
  
  

Lesson Displays

• Students can see lessons they missed while absent. The teacher can easily display these lessons for students to write down while other students work on current assignments.
  
  

Maps and Illustrations

• Teachers can store global and regional maps on their computer and display on the interactive whiteboard for specific lessons. While teaching on a topic such as the human cell a large picture can be displayed of the cell, complete with all the parts. Visual aids help the teacher engage the students both with their eyes and ears. This enhances retention.