Principal, Maharaja Agrasen Model School
Principal, Maharaja Agrasen Model School
The apt use of technology in the hands of the teacher helps abstract concepts become more tangible. Principal, Maharaja Agrasen Model School, Pratibha Kohli shares her views with Elets News Network.
The ICT has revolutionized the vistas of education and has taken the facets of education to a novel dynamic platform. It is impossible to alienate education from the mushrooming growth of digital revolution. The first interactive whiteboard was manufactured by SMART Technologies Inc. in 1991 and there has been no looking back since! IWB is a revolutionary teaching tool and has facilitated stimulating yet captivating teaching-learning environment in the closed confines of the classroom. The IWB has facilitated multifarious teaching-learning strategies as it is a very versatile tool in the hands of the educator.
The apt use of technology in the hands of the teacher helps abstract concepts become more tangible. IWB facilitates constructivist model of teaching and offers a meaningful intersection of technology and pedagogy. Further webbased IWB metamorphoses classroom dynamics in true sense, as geographically dispersed learners can interact in real time.
The optimum mix of visual and auditory learning experience has lead to better attendance of students across educational institutions as the lessons become more informative, interesting and appealing
Set of learners
Yes, definitely. Students come with a variety of learning styles; visual, auditory, kinesthetic. IWB immensely facilitates multiple expressions in teaching, thus well amalgamating the varied learning styles of the learners. In fact, the inclusion of all these dimensions in teaching has a positive impact on pedagogy and helps promote effective teaching; thereby cementing the learning of concepts by students. The optimum mix of visual and auditory learning experience has lead to better attendance of students across educational institutions as the lessons become more informative, interesting and appealing.
IWB can very well facilitate learning in children with special needs (CWSN) too. Hearing impaired learners greatly benefit from IWB, since IWB has immense visual impact and if coupled with sign language, IWB is well suited to the needs of such learners. Visually impaired learners with some vision may benefit from the large fonts and bright colours of IWB. Moreover, it helps to capture the attention of learners with attention disorder.
Hassle or help
IWB immensely helps the teacher and is a boon for her. The lessons can be easily customized to suit the aptitude and attitude of a learner or group of learners. It facilitates better planning of the lessons and better use of available resources so that the lessons are suited to the learner and also to the learning content. The use of technology helps the teacher to plan her lessons in a better manner. The teacher can use a variety of effects like, including pictures and video clips; adding sound effects for confluence of available digital technologies and make teaching effective. Notes can be made in digital ink, and can easily be updated later.
Using the internet, surfing websites and adding hyperlinks while teaching lessons can broaden the horizon of learning. Videoconferencing may be taken up. The use of IWB helps the teacher to put his/her creativity to an optimum level to make the lessons more appealing. The technology also helps the teacher to conduct online tests, opinion polls and help the teacher get instant feedback.
Word of caution
The technology cannot teach, it is for the teachers to engage technology so as to enhance the learning experience of students. Alignment of digital content with prescribed curriculum is important. Also, information overdose through IWB may dishearten the average learner.
Global perspective
While most of the developed countries are using IWBs extensively, in India, there is still a tremendous scope for incorporation of IWB in the education sector. The government should proactively consider introducing innovative digital solutions in the educational institutions to boost academic levels. The benefits of using IWB definitely outweigh the cost and bringing down the cost of installation of IWB would definitely help the cause of education.
