Digital Corner

Digital resources are becoming an increasingly important tool in the English classroom since they provide dynamic and entertaining support that deeply engages students of all ages.

 

 

At Oxford we are well aware of all the learning opportunities computers and interactive whiteboards offer, and that is why we have created Oxford's Digital Corner for teachers like you, who want education to make digital sense.

Here you will learn new ways to use the resources you already have and also discover the latest technology developed to enhance the learning of the English language.


 

Let’s start from the beginning… What is an interactive whiteboard?

An interactive whiteboard or IWB, is a large interactive display 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 special pen or even their finger! The board is typically mounted to a wall or on a floor stand¹.

Perhaps you have heard of some of their most widely used brand names - SMART Board, ActivBoard, eBeam, Mimio, and Webster.

TOP TEN FIVE FOR IWBs

  1. Practice makes perfect. Find time to get to know what you can do with the IWB and what it can do for you.
  2. Avoid using white backgrounds. These can produce more glare and reduce students' concentration span.
  3. Think about your classroom position. You don't want to be throwing a shadow on the board or getting the beam in your eyes. Advise your students of this too.
  4. Remember the activities need to be interactive. The English classroom is not a lecture theatre so it shouldn't just be you at the board. Make sure it is interactive for everyone.
  5. Make sure your classroom set-up allows access to the board. If possible move desks so the students are in a horseshoe formation near the board. Try not to have a barrier between the students and the board.

Did you know that…

 

 

  • You can use your IWB as a normal whiteboard?
  • You can use the pen as you would your computer's mouse?
  • There are many materials made especially to be used with the IWB, available with your course book and on the Internet?

Watch this tutorial to get started with interactive whiteboards!

 

Bonus Tip

Do you have materials prepared using SMART Notebook software but don't have a SMARTBoard? Don't worry! You can download the Notebook Interactive Viewer .

Look for further instalments in your monthly Ready-to-Go!

 

¹ Source: Adapted from Wikipedia; Interactive Whiteboard.