Abstract:
It is unusual to focus educational research on a particular piece of equipment, but the interactive whiteboard (IWB) seems to have a pedagogical and cultural status which makes it different from other new pieces of ICT equipment. It particular, it has been enthusiastically adopted by nearly all the teachers who have one installed in their classrooms, and is sought after by most of the teachers who do not currently have access to one. A group of researchers has formed within BERA New Technologies SIG, covering several projects in the UK which have been funded to investigate, directly or indirectly, the impact of the IWB on teaching and learning.
On behalf of the BERA group, we will discuss:
• how we have investigated the characteristics and effects of the IWB
• what we have found concerning the potential of the technology
• what the impact on teaching has been
• what the impact on learning has been.
We will also consider the effects of national policy contexts on our work in the UK and invite colleagues from Australia and other nations represented to share in our ongoing discussion of these issues and help generate questions concerning what we do not yet know.
On behalf of the BERA group, we will discuss:
• how we have investigated the characteristics and effects of the IWB
• what we have found concerning the potential of the technology
• what the impact on teaching has been
• what the impact on learning has been.
We will also consider the effects of national policy contexts on our work in the UK and invite colleagues from Australia and other nations represented to share in our ongoing discussion of these issues and help generate questions concerning what we do not yet know.