USC teachers find many uses for new interactive boards

Published 8:50 am Monday, March 16, 2009

The age old riddle; “What’s black, white and read all over?” used to be answered with “the newspaper.” Today, at United South Central Public Schools it takes on a 21st century meaning and some students would answer. “the Promethean boards!”

The Promethean board is a large screen attached to a wall and hangs in front of a classroom of students. It is connected to a computer and projector screen that reflects pictures, videos and graphs, and it allows the teacher to use either the computer or an electronic pointer to navigate around their lesson plan and make notes on the projected image. It allows a user to interact with the computer, such as, scan items to project, power point presentations, saves and review previous work, show video clips and allows the user to print whatever is on the Promethean board. The simplest description is like a large computer monitor that responds to touch. It is kind of like a dry erase board on steroids!

USC purchased five boards and had them installed and ready to go by mid-October 2008. It was an exciting wait for USC’s students; many had never seen such a thing before. Many larger school districts, colleges, universities and corporations are using these boards as a powerful tool to enhance learning and presentations. This type of technology is representative of what students will encounter in the world when they enter the work force.

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Each teacher interested in having a Promethean board in his or her classroom submitted a written application for consideration to John Degner, USC technology coordinator; two boards were awarded to the two fourth-grade class rooms and three to the high school.

Pierre Stencel and Karen Robbins, USC’s fourth-grade teachers, said they are thrilled with the results based on test scores and student attention; boasting some of the highest test scores on daily oral language exams in their teaching careers. Each student gets the opportunity to “write” on the Promethean board, make corrections and even change the color of the “ink,” all the while keeping students tuned-in to the assignment.

It has replaced over-head projectors and the blackboard; it is easier to see and allows unlimited flexibility for teachers and students. Stencel and Robbins agree they have only scratched the surface on what these boards can do.

USC was faced with the challenge of a large fourth-grade class, Stencel and Robbins wanted all the students to have the same opportunity to learn with the Promethean board in math and reading. The elementary also adopted a new math curriculum this year that has interactive whiteboard ready material. The Prometheans have allowed the students to see math in a whole new dimension. Instead of adding another section and having a classroom without this technology, it was determined to have four sections of reading and math (each section with an average of 15 students), instead of three, so all USC fourth-graders would benefit from this incredible technology. Ami Hart is the additional fourth-grade teacher instructing science, social studies and health when the other kids are working on math or reading.

Laura Johnson, USC High School English teacher, said of the boards: “I love my interactive white board! It has replaced my overhead projector and chalkboard, and is much more user friendly. I can create and store lesson plans on the software, which has some awesome interactive capabilities. The board is a great tool for getting kids involved in class. Students use the pens to edit grammar on the board, and to interact with mini-lessons on various topics. One cool feature of the interactive whiteboard, as compared to an overhead or chalkboard, is the color and graphics capability. It allows teachers to be more creative; it has the power to hold the attention of the students, and to interest them in the activity. I also use the board to post announcements, give class notes, and display handouts and assignments–which has saved countless sheets of paper. We’ve used it to access and study items on the internet, as well as power point presentations. I’m constantly finding new ways to use my board.”

Amber Sharratt, high school social studies teacher, said, “Our interactive white board has been a great addition to our classroom. I have freshman, sophomores and juniors for Social Studies classes at USC. I’ve found all classes to be excited and involved when the white board is in use.

“My interactive white board has enhanced my curriculum; the board allows me to teach from the Internet as well as prepared notes on a specific subject. I can easily write and erase notes while the class is following along. Because of the board’s large display, content is much easier to see then a traditional overhead projector. I’m able to show a movie through the projector. Finally, students enjoy writing on the board when it’s appropriate. I’ve had students write the notes for their classmates, while I’m able to walk around and check for understanding. We are very lucky and thankful for this new tool in the classroom,” Sharratt said.

Jennifer Bye. who teachers gateways to technology, a seventh- and eighth-grade class emphasizing math, engineering and technology, has found the board to be a huge asset to her and her students.

“I have found that students are more eager to participate in class and more eager to go to the board with the interactive board,” she said. “It has made it easier for me to be more attentive to what is happening in my classroom because I can save slides and click through presentations without turning my back to the class as often. It is also so great to have students so willing to write on the board and participate. By having them go to the board more often, I catch common mistakes more easily and am able to better see how to customize my lessons for each particular group. I greatly value my interactive bard. I feel so fortunate to be using one at USC!”