Best+Practices

=**How does the use of interactive white boards contribute to the teaching of math in grades K-5?** =

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When analyzing the use and implementation of interactive white boards in teaching mathematics, research indicates the best practices include using the virtual manipulatives //along// with, not //in place of,// 3-D manipulatives and having appropriate professional development in place. Interactive white boards can contribute to math instruction in many ways, but it relies heavily on the teacher to plan effective lessons and use wisdom in deciding how to use the board. ======

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What I've found is that using interactive white boards can increase student motivation and engagement. This makes sense because we are living in a technologically saturated world. Kids are very interested in using technology and are motivated by the idea of interacting with it. One important thing to remember is that while one or two students can interact with the board at a time, the //entire// class can not be interacting with the board at one time. The teacher must plan lessons that allow all students to interact with manipulatives - especially in math. This means that while the board is great for modeling or whole group instruction, the teacher should still use 3-D manipulatives that allow each student to interact with the materials. ======

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Another important part of using interactive white boards in math instruction is having the appropriate professional development in place. Teachers must be trained and knowledgeable in how to use their boards. One study found that student engagement and motivation was only increased in those classrooms where the teacher felt comfortable in using the IWB technology. This also makes sense because teachers who are trained in the technology will not be afraid to branch out and try new tools on their boards. If a teacher decides to use the board in math instruction, she must use it to its fullest potential. ======

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While there are many resources and uses for an IWB in math instruction, the teacher should always remember that it is the students who really matter. It is possible that you may have a class that does not learn well using the IWB and that's okay. It is the teacher's responsibility to analyze and decide which tools will help her students learn best. ======