Group items tagged

In all subjects, IW-based lessons in both schools are generally divided into two or three distinct parts.  Teachers log on to the IW at the start of the lesson, and begin with revision of previously covered material and an introduction to the day’s topic.  Revision time is normally brief - around five minutes - and includes some question and answer interaction.  The IW is used to remind students of previously covered content, and if the day’s topic is new, to present statements of learning aims and objectives.  Teachers then move on to introduce new material, typically using the IW as a whole-class teaching tool for a maximum of twenty minutes, during which time there is further question and answer interaction.  In the second part of lessons, students work on designated learning tasks, either as individuals, or in pairs or small groups.  Teachers move around the class, responding to questions and offering help.  Some lessons conclude with a return to whole-class use of the IW, typically used this time as a vehicle to show and discuss students’ work, and to sum up the lesson.  Students’ work may be selected and presented by the teacher, or students may be invited to the front of the class to show their work through the IW.

Teachers at both schools tend to see their roles as facilitators of active approaches to learning

       It is easy to draw on a greater number and wider variety of information and learning resources.

Development of common interactive whiteboard format

Currently most content files developed for any one type of interactive whiteboard cannot be opened by the software of others. This means that it is not possible for teachers, the National Whiteboard Network, local authorities, or other content publishers to create content that can be used on the software of more than one type of interactive whiteboard. To tackle this problem Becta has, after completing a tendering process, appointed RM to develop a common industry-wide standard that will bring huge benefits to schools, allowing the exchange of resources within and between schools.

The aim of this development is to provide the industry with an interoperability standard, followed by demonstration of support for the format with the production of an open-source file viewer.