tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.comments2024-02-02T02:23:58.285-06:00Interactive Whiteboard InsightsEmily Starr, CEO StarrMatica.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07737402980846358373noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-15932126896113863412013-01-16T09:23:16.355-06:002013-01-16T09:23:16.355-06:00I teach 6 classes of each grade level in music Pre...I teach 6 classes of each grade level in music Pre=K to G2. I can not imagine not having an IWB. It has allowed me to individualize instruction, be more creative in my teaching, embed video and audio files, keeping all resources in one place to name some the many advantages. This makes for less distraction in teaching. Visuals are available for those learners who need them. Students are able to compose on the spot. Individual and class assessments are easily stored. <br /><br />Master music teachers use their preparation time creating colored text charts outlining the lyrics of the songs that each class is learning. These charts not only help to teach the song but also show musical rhythms, pitch direction, form as well as other literacy characteristics within the text. Teachers also create magnetic pitch and rhythmic manipulative as well as burn cds of materials for every unit of teaching. As material differs from year to year, teachers are in a constant state of time consuming laminating, printing, burning and formatting. With the addition of interactive white boards in the music room this process is greatly simplified. By using the IWB notebook application, music teachers can keep their planning solely to their computers, cutting out the need to copy and laminate every material taught. CDs are turned into mp3 playlists and activated from the board. Manipulative pieces can be created on a computer and used by both teachers and students alike. <br /><br />Beyond simply being a time saver, the IWB board allows music teachers to more accurately archive student work, for example when writing songs or creating rhythmic ostinato, by saving each class’ work on the computer. The boards aid in planning as each individual class could pick up where it left off as their exact work was saved. <br /><br />I found students do not get enough opportunities to read and write music. With the addition of the interactive white boards, music classes use a variety of methods to incorporate this into their teaching including writing music as a class using iconic graphics, creating the notation themselves on Finale. The instant gratification then of seeing their creation in a published form, and if using Finale or Sibelius, hearing it played back is vastly influential to the students’ work and may be kept throughout the year and leads to guided and independent student compositions. <br /><br />I have the ability to be more focused on my class. Often when singing with CD’s or recording student work music teachers most be going back and forth from a stereo system or a computer. With the white board, all work of this manner would be focused on the board, thus keeping the class more engaged.<br /><br />Students have the opportunity to learn in a variety of ways. Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences are easily addressed using the IWB. <br /><br />These are only a few reasons why I find the board invaluable in my teaching. <br /><br /><br />Marcia Barhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05642340493090038136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-23307223704276695262011-06-28T21:58:13.480-05:002011-06-28T21:58:13.480-05:00You're so right! I too wrote a post on this ve...You're so right! I too wrote a post on this very subject for much the same reasons as you. A Technology needs to be used in a context well. Think TPACK. You need to not only know what the hardware is and what tools it has but how to integrate that tool with the content you teach and the teaching methods you use - That's the only way to make any technology have an good impact on teaching and learning :)<br /><br />Here's what I had to say: http://www.teachertechnologies.com/2010/03/a-response-to-what-id-buy-instead-of-an-interactive-whiteboard/Selena Woodwardhttp://www.teachertechnologies.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-87618799543346393072011-02-28T12:48:27.108-06:002011-02-28T12:48:27.108-06:00Here is how I would use a subscription to Starrmat...Here is how I would use a subscription to Starrmatica (to the tune "If You're Happy and you Know it)<br />RtI, en-rich-ment, even core<br />RtI, en-rich-ment, even core<br />Oh I wish I would win<br />Oh I wish I would win<br />Starrmatica<br />That makes learning fun!Kathy S.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-22990800847614321652011-02-28T00:00:57.682-06:002011-02-28T00:00:57.682-06:00Emily,
Thank you for this thoughtful post. I could...Emily,<br />Thank you for this thoughtful post. I could not agree more. I literally worked 70 hours a week my first 5 years of teaching. It has been 16 years now, and the income has definitely improved, but you hit the nail on the head with every one of these points. Regarding point#2, I often wonder why they pay me $80K per year to do yard duty when they could pay someone minimum wage to do the same while freeing me up to plan effective differentiated instruction!#6 & 7 are big ones too. I work in a school where many of the parents just don't do their part, and administration is less than helpful when it comes to supporting teachers in disciplinary action for the overabundance of behavior issues we're facing. You are an inspiration! Maybe I'll come up with an idea to start my own business and leave the classroom too.<br />Thank you! Keep up the good work!<br />LisaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-47605946071208414272011-02-19T17:30:25.005-06:002011-02-19T17:30:25.005-06:00This would definitely be a resource to put the IWB...This would definitely be a resource to put the IWB into the hands of the students. After initially using my IWB for a lot of “teacher” centered instruction just to get to know the software, I’m now focusing on finding materials to get students using it interactively and in particular, I would use it for remedial instruction of math concepts.GWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06449916247329248996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-26813427887641516902011-02-14T10:10:27.738-06:002011-02-14T10:10:27.738-06:00I love the idea of having a database of ready to u...I love the idea of having a database of ready to use interactive lessons. Our school is slowly placing whiteboards into each class. Some teachers are intimidated by the idea of having to create content to use on them, so I would love to be able to refer them to something like this to boost their interest in using the boards. I teach in the computer lab, but often have to try and prod teachers to try out various technologies. I think our teachers would love a membership like this.Krenitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07397177342189238255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-84153772909372403552010-10-24T13:04:43.626-05:002010-10-24T13:04:43.626-05:00Your number #2 reasons of all the extra work is so...Your number #2 reasons of all the extra work is so true! That part drives me insane! It seems that the type of personality that does well in teaching isn't always so good at the paperwork and such. Imagine if we could use that time instead for teaching we all would be amazing!Lissahttp://www.metzilla.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-11863525947528691182010-10-18T12:29:42.371-05:002010-10-18T12:29:42.371-05:00Hi Kristina,
Thank you for taking the time to com...Hi Kristina,<br /><br />Thank you for taking the time to comment. I am hopeful that ed-reform will be able to turn in the direction of helping teachers to be more effective by understanding their daily classroom experiences and by supporting them more fully. <br /><br />I am enjoying the insight you offer on your blog based on your classroom experiences!Emily Starr, CEO StarrMatica.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07737402980846358373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-25035860292824840562010-10-17T21:22:35.555-05:002010-10-17T21:22:35.555-05:00Emily,
Thank you for this post! I'm current...Emily, <br /><br />Thank you for this post! I'm currently in my 4th year and understand the frustration. You make excellent points. I too wish all of these things could be considered. I actually did start in business and went into education. I also struggle with being able to do things when confined in the classroom. Maybe posts like yours can fall into the right hands...<br />Best of luck to you in your business ventures!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-25568181643068562052010-09-03T20:17:42.751-05:002010-09-03T20:17:42.751-05:00Just as an aside re IWB costs - my rough calculati...Just as an aside re IWB costs - my rough calculations suggest that it costs about $50 per student per year to have a reasonable IWB set up in a classroom (over 4 yr period). That's about 25c per school day per student - chicken feed!<br />No one ever talks about the $80 000 a year that can be often wasted with an underperforming, incompetent teacher at the wheel - which equates to about $13 per student per school day. Food for thought.Paul Lukehttp://twitter.com/pluke17noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-8878315358892337872010-08-15T09:41:34.572-05:002010-08-15T09:41:34.572-05:00Hi Emily, thanks for your quick reply.
I agree wit...Hi Emily, thanks for your quick reply.<br />I agree with the points you state, of course. When I read your sentence ("After all, teaching with IWBs isn't appropriate for every classroom.") what I understood was that you were referring to the setting, i.e. in some teaching settings the IWB would not be an appropriate technology to use. Well, every technology (not only IWBs) is only appropriate in the classroom as long as the teacher is willing to use it and can use it effectively.Joao Alveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11843865769282975578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-1964272682364660702010-08-15T08:38:53.505-05:002010-08-15T08:38:53.505-05:00João,
Thanks for your comment! There are several...João,<br /><br />Thanks for your comment! There are several throughs behind that sentence:<br /><br />1. It is difficult to "force" teachers not interested in teaching with IWBs to accept the technology let alone use it effectively. Even with targeted and long term professional development, it has to be the teacher's decision to learn.<br />2. Some teachers may already be using alternative technologies such as mobile pads and be reluctant to add another piece of technology, or they may not believe that the two can paired. They may feel their solution is already "better" than an IWB.<br />3. Teachers who already use effective teaching techniques in hands-on learning classrooms shouldn't be forced to integrate a piece of technology if they don't believe it will add additional benefit to their already successful teaching model.<br />4. It makes me uncomfortable when a "one size fits all" approach is taken to anything in education. Every classroom is different and we should be leery of saying one piece of technology is appropriate for every classroom.Emily Starr, CEO StarrMatica.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07737402980846358373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-61119785242135022132010-08-15T04:40:25.585-05:002010-08-15T04:40:25.585-05:00You wrote "After all, teaching with IWBs isn&...You wrote "After all, teaching with IWBs isn't appropriate for every classroom." Can you explain what you mean?<br />Thanks.Joao Alveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11843865769282975578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-87777064775592697142010-08-03T20:22:31.379-05:002010-08-03T20:22:31.379-05:00Vanessa,
Thanks for taking the time to share your...Vanessa,<br /><br />Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. I agree it is an issue where people on both sides are digging in their heels. Thanks for the link and for the great quote "It's the teAch not the tech." Don't worry, I'll credit you!;)Emily Starr, CEO StarrMatica.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07737402980846358373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-74086781963152876722010-07-08T10:34:29.309-05:002010-07-08T10:34:29.309-05:00Great post, Emily! I feel like I've been shout...Great post, Emily! I feel like I've been shouting the same sentiments from the rooftops for years :) It's become one of those debates that people tend to create an identity with (akin to "I'm a PC" or "I'm a Mac")<br /><br />All I can say is that I had access to an IWB (either in my school or in my own classroom) for 4 out of my 5 years of teaching, and it was FANTASTIC. Sadly, as you point out, you can't quantify enthusiasm, lessened classroom behaviour issues and eagerness to learn. As such, many of those that are anti-IWBs keep pointing to the age-old question "where's the proof?" [side note - I have an old blog post that discusses one snippet of proof http://sharpsav.com/blog/if-you-ever-needed-proof.html]<br /><br />Are there good teachers without IWBs? Yes. Are there poor teachers with them? Yes. I have said it a million times...it's the teAch, not the tech.Vanessa Cassiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05316695810733932221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-74437131893150041122010-07-04T09:47:20.265-05:002010-07-04T09:47:20.265-05:00Continued...
Yes it would be nice it every kid ha...Continued...<br /><br />Yes it would be nice it every kid had a laptop, but unless yours do, then that's not even a valid argument. I'd also make the case that just as a personal computer is very much a great tool for learning, an IWB is a great tool for teaching. If there is still room for explicit teaching, leading students through ideas and concepts that they might not discover on their own (trust me, that bottom Year 9 class is not going to discover algebra on their own without some guidance from the teacher!) then an IWB makes a lot of sense. As a tool for bring rich media into a classroom, of having a window to the world, of having a portal to exploring unexpected questions, or being a flexible tool to help visualise difficult concepts, of being a place where ideas can be captured and shared and discussed and manipulated, with both teacher and student able to explore ideas on a large communal digital space by talking and pointing and dragging and manipulating, that all in the room can be a part of... If an IWB is not the ideal tool for doing all this, then I'm keen to hear what is.<br /><br />After daily use for 6+ years, helping make sense of ideas with every kid in the room, if you can find a more efficient use of the $2000 it cost to include the IWB then I'd suggest you buy it. I think once you sit down and work out what that bit of hardware has actually cost you when you spread it out over multiple years and multiple users, I think you'll find it hardly what you can call "expensive".<br /><br />There might be reasons to dislike IWBs, but they mostly have to do with poor teaching, not the expense of the hardware. And the poor teaching that you see with IWBs? Don't kid yourself... you'd get just as bad teaching even without them.Chrhttp://www.chrisbetcher.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-58633737285970866082010-07-04T09:47:20.264-05:002010-07-04T09:47:20.264-05:00IWBs expensive? Hmmm. I'm not sure how one m...IWBs expensive? Hmmm. I'm not sure how one measures "expensive", but I'd look at it this way... Let's assume that in a typical "modern classroom" it's a given that it will have a projector. I don't think anyone would argue that a projector in a classroom is a waste of money?<br /><br />Let's also assume that this projector is actually installed permanently, rather than just set up on a desk each time the teacher wants to use it. After all, if it requires time and effort to use each time then it won't take long for the novelty to wear off and teachers top using it.<br /><br />So, assuming we are installing the projector, this means we need a ceiling mount or a short throw projector mount on the wall. It will need to be wired of course, so an electrician will be needed to run cables, install powerpoints, run AV cabling, etc. You'll need a set of speakers on the wall too, and these will need to be hooked up. Cable runs to the ceiling can be tricky depending on the size of the room, the height of the ceiling and the access to existing power, but it will need to be done right because the end result has to meet code.<br /><br />So, by the time you run power, pay an electrician, buy speakers, buy a decent projector, add a wall plate with proper AV switching to allow a laptop and its video and audio feeds to be plugged in (or alternatively, include the cost of a permanently mounted PC), and the cost of our room is getting up to around, what? $4000-5000? Add a bit more if you want to use a tablet PC, if you can still even buy one these days! <br /><br />These are the costs to do it right. You can do a dodgy job of this, but if you do it right then this is in the ball park. (and I've been an IT Manager in several schools that have gone down this path and these figures are quite conservative - wait till you try to do this wiring in a heritage building and see how they blow out!)<br /><br />Oh, and you can expect the bulb on that projector to need replacing every 12-18 months at a cost of around $500-$800. Either that, or many schools I know are simply just replacing the entire projector every 18-24 months.<br /><br />All this is without even considering the cost of an IWB. These are the costs that would be incurred just to have the projector on it's own, or to have it there to try and use with a Wiimote Whiteboard (Good luck with those by the way!... They work ok, but I hope you have a lot of patience and technical savvy!) <br /><br />Now, just for fun, let's add the cost of an IWB... let's be extravagant and say it costs you another couple of grand. Now let's consider that, as a large screen technology, it's a tool that can be of some shared benefit to everyone in that class, since they will all be able to see it, use and touch it (and no, perhaps not all at once, but over time they all get to experience it) Then lets consider that the IWB would get used for at least part of each day... typically if a teacher knows how to leverage the technology they might use it for 70-80% of the day, but let's assume they just use it for 50% of the time. And let's assume that the IWB will last for at least 6 years... there's no moving parts, nothing to break, and from my own personal experience with IWB I would expect them to last at least this long (many of ours are nearly that old and still going strong.<br /><br />Now do the math, and tell me what other classroom technology lasts 6+ years, gets used for a significant part of each school day, and benefits every student in the classroom, and costs less.Chris Betcherhttp://www.chrisbetcher.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-14198248286994962692010-06-14T21:32:11.257-05:002010-06-14T21:32:11.257-05:00Hi Jon,
Thanks for the question. I can definitel...Hi Jon,<br /><br />Thanks for the question. I can definitely see how the point could be read in a "we're already wasting money in other areas, so what's a little more wasted on IWBs" kind of way. That is certainly not the thought behind the idea. It was intended to point out that it is not necessarily "wasted" money because it is more expensive. Technologies are expensive because of their components, durable construction, or creative applications. You are getting the quality you pay for. In otherwords, cost doesn't make a technology tool innately bad. So, when there are several alternatives available, as there are for computers, it is important to examine all of the pros and cons, not just the sticker price.Emily Starr, CEO StarrMatica.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07737402980846358373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-91105472376774522742010-06-14T20:55:05.304-05:002010-06-14T20:55:05.304-05:00Help me out with the logic behind 1a...
Schools a...Help me out with the logic behind 1a...<br /><br />Schools already use other technologies that are not at all cost-effective, so there's a precedent?<br /><br />or maybe it's...<br /><br />Schools already use other technologies that are not all cost-effective, so what's one more set in the grand scheme of things?<br /><br />I don't get it.Jon Beckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18089609431323802418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-45454691702104361172010-06-14T15:22:48.160-05:002010-06-14T15:22:48.160-05:00Anita,
Thank you for your comment! I appreciate ...Anita,<br /><br />Thank you for your comment! I appreciate you sharing your first-hand experiences. In many of the anti-IWB articles I read, the examples given are from high school classrooms. My expertise is solely in elementary school settings, so I am very interested in your observations that they work best with younger learners because that has been my experience. Thank you also for making a point to highlight the fact that students are using the board, not just the teacher.Emily Starr, CEO StarrMatica.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07737402980846358373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-88834046856634093952010-06-14T15:16:22.697-05:002010-06-14T15:16:22.697-05:00Pam,
Thanks for taking the time to comment and fo...Pam,<br /><br />Thanks for taking the time to comment and for echoing the sentiment that the tool is only as effective as the teacher using it.Emily Starr, CEO StarrMatica.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07737402980846358373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-16663491108173717792010-06-14T15:15:28.640-05:002010-06-14T15:15:28.640-05:00Hi Glenn,
I have seen the BoxLight projectors and...Hi Glenn,<br /><br />I have seen the BoxLight projectors and think they would be a great solution for some classrooms. Could you help me out with the pricing comparison, though? I have heard the quote before that they are 1/3 of the cost of IWBs but I haven't figured that out. They are around $1700 correct? A mimio IWB + projector is $1250. A 77" SMARTboard is $1485. You can add your own projector for $500. I realize IWBs with attached projectors are more costly, but even the more expensive models run $3000-$3500, which makes $1700 still only 1/2 the cost. What am I missing?Emily Starr, CEO StarrMatica.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07737402980846358373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-10281205397771985132010-06-14T15:05:39.312-05:002010-06-14T15:05:39.312-05:00marksrightbrain and Chris, thanks for your comment...marksrightbrain and Chris, thanks for your comments! I appreciate the compliments.Emily Starr, CEO StarrMatica.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07737402980846358373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-68741236117200951612010-06-14T15:04:05.071-05:002010-06-14T15:04:05.071-05:00The Innovative Educator, thanks for your comment. ...The Innovative Educator, thanks for your comment. I feel you fail understand some of the points I make as evidenced in your response, but I have read enough of your comments to understand that you are set in your anti-IWB beliefs.<br /><br />I was offended by your assertation that I am advocating for IWBs with the underlying intention of wanting to or needing to work for one of the companies in the future, and I also believe that calling IWBs a "dumb" initiative is insulting to those who are already using them effectively. <br /><br />However, I do appreciate the underlying intention of your anti-IWB agenda to advocate for schools to spend their ed-tech money wisely by weighing the pros and cons of all options.Emily Starr, CEO StarrMatica.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07737402980846358373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742361519893731161.post-81639658414607463342010-06-14T14:43:36.083-05:002010-06-14T14:43:36.083-05:00danielespejo, thanks for your comment. I agree th...danielespejo, thanks for your comment. I agree that utilization should be the focus for implementations. So many PD sessions only cover software navigation and operation rather than teaching lesson integration and interactivity design.Emily Starr, CEO StarrMatica.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07737402980846358373noreply@blogger.com