Introduction
There has been an increased awareness for the need to understand the link between the use of technology and pedagogy with the integration of interactive learning in the classroom. This learning is supported by SMART board interactive whiteboards. Teachers are looking for understanding about this technology and how it is being used in the learning process. Countries which are still developing are keen to have this technology integrated in the classroom. There are advantages that are foreseen with the introduction of this technology. It will serve to increase the interactive nature of the teachers while they are teaching. Education is being promoted with the use of technology and innovation. This is the norm that is being seen in the world today. This paper will look at the process of implementing this technology in schools. It will serve as a guide for learning institutions which are trying to implement the same process. In the process, there is a need to manage the change that comes with the implementation of this technology. The change management will become harder if the school top management are not part of the decision making process. This has always led to poor outcomes (Betcher, & Leicester, 2009).
SMART board interactive whiteboards technology
These are large touch-sensitive screens which control a computer which has been connected to a data projector. They were invented by Xerox in the 1990s. They were used initially at business settings. Apart from the common software that are required in order to operate the system, there are software that are required that offer the control process. The whiteboards offers the teachers and students platform in which they can interact and share ideas and information with each other. This is in addition to the availability of project internet access and digital images which are used in learning. Many studies have been done relating the adoption process of this technology. Other studies have looked at the impact of this technology on the pedagogy of the learning process. Another area that has received enough research attention is the benefit that this new learning process has received. This technology was developed from the eBeam technology (Glover, Miller, Averis, & Door, 2005).
With the eBeam technology, it is composed of two types of hardware. The first component is the receiver which is placed on the edge of a surface which is flat. This could be an ordinary whiteboard. The second hardware is the radio-wave emitting pen. When the pen is pressed against a hard surface like a whiteboard, the pen will emit radio-wave which is then used to determine the input of the pen relative to the position that the pen is with the surface. The input that comes from the interactive pen is then converted to a mouse-event which is then sent to the operating system for processing to take place (Glover, Miller, Averis, & Door, 2005).
How Smart board interactive technology works
A smart board technology has large touch-sensitive screen that has been integrated with a whiteboard. From a distance, the whiteboard will like a 5-6’ high definition television screen that is sitting on a cabinet which is three feet tall. The cabinet has a computer which displays an image on the screen that is placed above it. The image projection is done from the back of the screen so that there will be no problems with the shades of shadows (Glover, Miller, Averis, & Door, 2005).
The image that is displayed on the screen will be manipulated by a touch on the screen. One example is that if there is a page that should be opened on the screen, then the user will just touch the link to that web page and it will open. There are scroll bars which are located on the sides of the board which help to manipulate the screen. There is also keyboard and mouse which is connected to the computer on the side of the podium next to the whiteboard. These two peripheral devices allow typing to be done to the whiteboard and the mouse helps in the navigation of the whiteboard (Glover, Miller, Averis, & Door, 2005).
Electronic pens are located on the side of the smart board which is used to input the content that the instructors want to integrate and teach the students. With these pens, words and other learning content can be written on the whiteboard using electronic waves. Important words can be circled on the screen.
There is also a Bluetooth technology which has been integrated to the SMART board interactive whiteboard. The Bluetooth makes use of weak radio signals so that it is able to communicate with electronic devices within the classroom. With Bluetooth, a mouse and keyboard is connected to the computer without the use of wires. This enables students to connect the computer with their mouse and keyboards.
Benefits of using this technology
Learners have reported some problems with the use of this technology. One of the disadvantages that learners have reported is the fact that teachers lack information technology skills so that they are not conversant with this technology while they are teaching. These technologies are also known to be costly and lack technical reliability. The technology can fail any time while the learning process is taking place. This affects the learning process (Smith et al. 2005).
Multimedia content
There is also the ability to present information in different vibrant colors while teaching. This makes learning interesting as the student will be motivated and learn effectively with the use of these technologies. The technology also is able to zoom and manipulate what is being taught so that the teachers are able to emphasize on some information that they are trying to present. This enables the teachers to enhance the process of learning. This is the benefit of this technology and especially the ability to use multiple colors while teaching (Glover, Miller, Averis, & Door, 2005).
References
Betcher, C., & Leicester, M. (2009). The interactive whiteboard revolution: Teaching with IWBs. ACER Press.
Glover, D., Miller, D., Averis, D., & Door, V. (2005). The interactive whiteboard: a literature survey. Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 14(2), 155-170.
Smith, H. J., Higgins, S., Wall, K., & Miller, J. (2005). Interactive whiteboards: boon or bandwagon? A critical review of the literature. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 21(2), 91-101.
