Over the last four journal entries I have explored a number of issues relating to IWB’s including: how they can improve learning outcomes and effect pedagogy; how to make IWB’s actually interactive; the limitations of IWB’s; and, the professional development challenges related to using IWB’s effectively. For my last journal entry I wanted to collect and evaluate some of the free IWB resources available to high school teachers. I focused on biology and chemistry as these are the subjects I will be teaching. Below is a short list of some of the resources I found. Hopefully it will be a useful reference list for myself and other teachers. Although I concentrated on science, many of the websites listed below also have fantastic resources for other subjects.
I found that you really have to search for free IWB resources, particularly interactive games, as they are fairly scattered. I did find numerous subject specific software packages that you can buy for IWB’s, but this may not be a realistic option for many schools. Also many of these packages were specific to particular brands of IWB and could not be used on competing hardware.
As an aside, you don’t actually have to have an actual IWB in order to use some of the technology associated with them. For example several teachers have been able to design productive and engaging lessons by simply using educational software (White 2007, pg.7). You can you can also turn your iPad into an IWB (Tyson 2011).
To my disappointment there were no IWB resources available on either the Department of Education websites for NSW or ACT. I also did not find anything on the Australian National Curriculum website.
Curriculum Bits: This site is fantastic which has a huge range of free online interactive teaching resources that can be used on an IWB. My favourite was the “Predators and Prey” exercise which includes great graphics, music and a quiz.
Interactive whiteboard Sites: Provides links to numerous IWB resource sites including interactive games that you can design yourself.
Topmark Educational Search Engine: Includes free biology games and animations for IWB use. Topics include cells, humans as organisms, green plants and organisms, living things in the environment, and more.
Amphitheater Public Schools: Provides links to various science information websites and some interactive websites includes a periodic table (giddiyup chemistry geeks), and a virtual electron microscope.
The Connected Classrooms Program: Provides information about a NSW Government initiative to provide the department’s staff and students with new opportunities to connect with each other across enhanced technology facilities for sharing resources and data collaboration. It includes videos, and contact details for schools that want to be involved in the program. It does not have any free IWB resources you can use.
References:
Tyson, T. 2011. Turn your iPad into an interactive whiteboard. dr.timtyson.com. Available online at: http://drtimtyson.com/blog/archives/2011/03/turn_your_ipad_1_or_2_into_an.html
White, K. (2007). Interactive whiteboard trial, south-western Sydney region: a report. NSW: Department of Education and Training. 26 p.
About robeywankenobe
I am currently studying a Diploma of Education and will be teaching Science at high school next year.
robeywankenobe 