IWB
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/6/13168592/679077.jpg?293)
In 1994 my primary school teacher used the blackboard to recreate Monet's 'Bridge over a Pond of Water-Lillies'. I forget exactly what the picture contained but I remember some nice water-lillies on a pond, plus a bridge. Anyway, it was a masterpiece; maybe even challenging the 1899 original. The point of this was to provide a starter for a painting lesson, and to this day I wonder if he shed a tear as he rubbed it out.
Not only does the IWB technology of today save us those tears by means of giving us images at our fingertips (and allowing any masterpieces to be saved!), it has also revolutionised the activities and resources available in primary classrooms.
Reflection: My experience so far has largely involved using Notebook software on Smartboard and what can I say? The scope for creativity here is amazing. Not only did I find this software great for illustrating teaching points (splitting fractions, modelling writing etc), but the engagement and inclusion that can be incorporated is the real winner.
Further Reflection: Struggling to find or create the exact worksheet you need? I was delighted to find that Notebook pages can be copied and pasted into Word* where, following a quick enlargement, your worksheet is ready to save and print.
*This was possible with Notebook 10, but my laptop doesn't allow it for Notebook 11. This will be interesting to trouble-shoot in the future, as will the ongoing issues with Flashplayer on this system.
More to follow.
Not only does the IWB technology of today save us those tears by means of giving us images at our fingertips (and allowing any masterpieces to be saved!), it has also revolutionised the activities and resources available in primary classrooms.
Reflection: My experience so far has largely involved using Notebook software on Smartboard and what can I say? The scope for creativity here is amazing. Not only did I find this software great for illustrating teaching points (splitting fractions, modelling writing etc), but the engagement and inclusion that can be incorporated is the real winner.
Further Reflection: Struggling to find or create the exact worksheet you need? I was delighted to find that Notebook pages can be copied and pasted into Word* where, following a quick enlargement, your worksheet is ready to save and print.
*This was possible with Notebook 10, but my laptop doesn't allow it for Notebook 11. This will be interesting to trouble-shoot in the future, as will the ongoing issues with Flashplayer on this system.
More to follow.
Interactive 100 Square
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/6/13168592/6350655.jpg)
Primary National Strategy has provided a rather helpful webpage with numerous interactive teaching aids. Included is this 100 grid square.
As demonstrated in our week 2 Mathematics lessons, this can be used to support all sorts of activities including counting on, finding patterns in multiplication tables or aiding mental strategies like rounding and compensating...
Reflection: KS1 classes may benefit from a more entertaining 100 square, so here's a link to a 'splat square', enjoy.
Further Reflection: Try to find out which 100 square works best for your class. I used a square that started at 0 in the bottom left, giving my class easier access when coming to the front to use the IWB, and also highlighting the fact that 0 is a number!
As demonstrated in our week 2 Mathematics lessons, this can be used to support all sorts of activities including counting on, finding patterns in multiplication tables or aiding mental strategies like rounding and compensating...
Reflection: KS1 classes may benefit from a more entertaining 100 square, so here's a link to a 'splat square', enjoy.
Further Reflection: Try to find out which 100 square works best for your class. I used a square that started at 0 in the bottom left, giving my class easier access when coming to the front to use the IWB, and also highlighting the fact that 0 is a number!
From arrays to grids.
Another from Primary National Strategy, this time their Multiplication grid. When looking at the grid method for multiplication, this IWB tool creates the grid as you enter the numbers to be multiplied. Clicking the question marks to reveal the answer for each step and hiding some of the numbers to shake things up are two of the tools that can keep your class engaged.
A few* tips...
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/6/13168592/3500667.jpg?332)
*according to this website there are no fewer than 56 ideas for IWB shenanigans.
More to follow.
More to follow.
If I board a flight from Manchester at 13:30...
and it takes 10 hours to reach Quito, what time will I arrive there? (And also, where is Quito?)
24timezones is a useful cross-curricular resource for an IWB (or indeed a hand-held device). Not only does the World Time Map allow for some interesting KS2 Maths problems, but it could surely help bolster Geographical knowledge and awareness.
24timezones is a useful cross-curricular resource for an IWB (or indeed a hand-held device). Not only does the World Time Map allow for some interesting KS2 Maths problems, but it could surely help bolster Geographical knowledge and awareness.
Ipad-controlled IWB?
Yes it was.
I've found out that the contraption that allowed this to occur was an app called 'Splashtop'. This was used to control the computer via a handheld device, in this case making it possible for the savvy teacher to quickly produce notes on the IWB whilst still being able to work the room.
This could also provide the opportunity for children to pass the handheld device around, taking turns to enter information onto the IWB. There are many ways in which this could be utilised, but I'm currently liking the idea of linking this with mind-mapping software (such as Freemind) - More to follow.
For more app-based info click here to head over to my app page.
Further Reflection; Is using this app quicker and easier than writing on the IWB? Does this app remove the opportunity to model good handwriting to the class? Are the children benefiting from it?
I don't have the answers to these questions, but I do believe that care must be taken not to use ICT like this for the sake of it. I certainly wouldn't replace all of my interactions with this app. However, as a teacher, you will know what is best for your class at any given time.
I've found out that the contraption that allowed this to occur was an app called 'Splashtop'. This was used to control the computer via a handheld device, in this case making it possible for the savvy teacher to quickly produce notes on the IWB whilst still being able to work the room.
This could also provide the opportunity for children to pass the handheld device around, taking turns to enter information onto the IWB. There are many ways in which this could be utilised, but I'm currently liking the idea of linking this with mind-mapping software (such as Freemind) - More to follow.
For more app-based info click here to head over to my app page.
Further Reflection; Is using this app quicker and easier than writing on the IWB? Does this app remove the opportunity to model good handwriting to the class? Are the children benefiting from it?
I don't have the answers to these questions, but I do believe that care must be taken not to use ICT like this for the sake of it. I certainly wouldn't replace all of my interactions with this app. However, as a teacher, you will know what is best for your class at any given time.
Class Dojo...
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/6/13168592/1865793.jpg?1)
I'm putting this in the IWB section as it serves as a great focal point both during and at the end of lessons. Without the IWB, I feel that the impact of this behavioural management system would not be as great.
Firstly, Class Dojo is free, which is a good start.
I like the avatar creation feature and feel that it is something that children would enjoy doing. To see the progress that their characters make would be particularly exciting for younger children and I would be very keen to see how this works in KS1 - watch this space!
Negatives of this include highlighting negative behavioural issues to the rest of the class, as this could consolidate some children's views that they are 'bad' and could result in them being cast as a class villain. Of course, this could be avoided by only highlighting positive begaviours, but this could mean the class never see the negative results of their poor behaviour.
A video to highlight some of these features is available below.
Firstly, Class Dojo is free, which is a good start.
I like the avatar creation feature and feel that it is something that children would enjoy doing. To see the progress that their characters make would be particularly exciting for younger children and I would be very keen to see how this works in KS1 - watch this space!
Negatives of this include highlighting negative behavioural issues to the rest of the class, as this could consolidate some children's views that they are 'bad' and could result in them being cast as a class villain. Of course, this could be avoided by only highlighting positive begaviours, but this could mean the class never see the negative results of their poor behaviour.
A video to highlight some of these features is available below.
Prezi
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/6/13168592/5595439.jpg)
Prezi is an interesting presentation program with enough gadgets in the free edition to keep you busy for a while.
With a bit of playing and experimenting it becomes fairly easy to create an interactive display which puts powerpoint to shame. However, where time constraints and simplicity are concerned, I think teachers are likely to opt for notebook or powerpoint, meaning that this could be of better use in the capable hands of KS2 pupils.
Prezi could therefore be used by children to create their own presentations, inserting their own videos,photos and narration as their journey progresses. I think this idea of a 'journey' becomes increasingly valuable when using this program, as regardless of the topic there will always be a process of learning that the children can report back on.
Unfortunately the free version does not allow any saved presentations to remain private, so I think this would obviously create some major issues regarding pupils using their own photos in their work. The cost to upgrade to a version that allows more privacy is minimal though, so I think there would definitely be some potential for classroom use.
Some of the templates offered by Prezi lend themselves to specific subjects, such as the world map options. I spent a few minutes experimenting with this template and was quite impressed with some of the possibilites. See my short slideshow below for screenshots (I didn't want to save the Prezi as it was not quite fit for public viewing!).
With a bit of playing and experimenting it becomes fairly easy to create an interactive display which puts powerpoint to shame. However, where time constraints and simplicity are concerned, I think teachers are likely to opt for notebook or powerpoint, meaning that this could be of better use in the capable hands of KS2 pupils.
Prezi could therefore be used by children to create their own presentations, inserting their own videos,photos and narration as their journey progresses. I think this idea of a 'journey' becomes increasingly valuable when using this program, as regardless of the topic there will always be a process of learning that the children can report back on.
Unfortunately the free version does not allow any saved presentations to remain private, so I think this would obviously create some major issues regarding pupils using their own photos in their work. The cost to upgrade to a version that allows more privacy is minimal though, so I think there would definitely be some potential for classroom use.
Some of the templates offered by Prezi lend themselves to specific subjects, such as the world map options. I spent a few minutes experimenting with this template and was quite impressed with some of the possibilites. See my short slideshow below for screenshots (I didn't want to save the Prezi as it was not quite fit for public viewing!).