Comments on: Turn around and face the front of the room

By: Lisa Nielsen

Lisa Nielsen — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:55:18 +0000

Thank you for sharing and expanding upon my post. @John Woodring’s suggestion is a very good one. Another option is that if any of your students own iPads or iTouches the free Airmouse application (2.99 for advanced version) serves as a slate.

By: Diane Cordell

Diane Cordell — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:24:04 +0000

Cathy,
The small district where I worked put IWBs in every classroom, at significant expense. I saw them mounted so high in elementary classrooms that the students couldn’t reach them. I saw teachers using the IWBs to project worksheets.
I could visualize maybe an interactive table used in a learning station, but, as you say, interactivity does not exclusively translate into “technology.” Students could successfully learn while interacting with blocks, art supplies, or nature.

By: John Woodring

John Woodring — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:56:33 +0000

I recently tested the AverPen by AverMedia and was impressed. This device allows you to control your computer from anywhere in the classroom. Even very is that it will write on almost any surface. Most of the time I was using my hand as I was doing quick demonstrations. There is software to create interactive lessons but you can also use Smartnotebooks or ActiveInspire. You can purchase just the teacher pen or packs of student pens for a classroom response system. The AverPen will not chain you to an IWB.