Wordle is a program that allows you to enter words and make 'word clouds'. These word clouds can be used for vocabulary within Math and Social Studies units or to demonstrate a students prior knowledge of a topic. This could also be used for a spin on the traditional word wall. The more you enter a certain word, the larger it appears in the cloud. By creating a Wordle 'word cloud', children will be exposed to vocabulary words they have seen or will be introduced to. This website allows you to be creative and use words to make a piece of art in which you can share, show, and use within the classroom.

This website provides audio reading, games, and puzzles that correlate to the books listed. My school district uses these books to enforce weekly vocabulary. I enjoy using hangman, crossword puzzles, interactive flashcards, word searches, and multiple choice questions within my own classroom. Students, teachers, and families can access this website in order to study and interact with vocabulary.

This is a vocabulary website that allows you to create your own interactive flash cards to help you learn terms and definitions. There are also tests and spelling activities available for your terms. Lastly, there is a game where you drag the definition to the term and they will disappear when correct. What a fun twist on paper flash cards!

Although I posted SMART resources in previous posts, these resources are specifically designed for vocabulary instruction. Since I am focusing on vocabulary within Interactive White Boards, these pre-made lessons will allow me to adapt the words and use these interactive board games, activities, matching forms, etc. in my own classroom.

This article discusses the advantages and downfalls of using IWB in special education. One suggestion is to give special education students 'jobs' that allow them to complete IWB tasks according to their strengths. The article also suggests that "content based" professional development on IWB should be provided to special education teachers. The manipulation of objects, ability to change font size, and large pens provide special needs children with the opportunity to actively engage in whole class lessons.

This discusses the pros and cons of IWB on student collaboration with the studies conducted. These studies test if Interactive White Boards can be altered from their teacher-led purpose to encourage collaboration among students.

This article discusses a study done to see how Interactive White Boards affect student engagement within the classroom. The results of this study showed that students enjoy using the whiteboard and the use of an IWB as an instructional tool did affect student engagement positively, mainly because of visual potential. Although this information seems like having an IWB in every classroom is a 'no brainer', schools have to take many factors into mind such as funds, safety, teacher interest, and available technology training.

This article is a research synthesis. This woman looked into articles and compared their opinions and results on student motivation using an IWB. Specifically, she found that student motivation will increase if teachers provide students with many opportunities to interact with the IWB, use engaging effects within the IWB, and allow children to use multiple senses within the lesson.

This article explains how IWB can benefit the needs of all types of learners. It focuses on using IWB and other technology to make accommodations of special needs students. It touches base on the fact that teachers feel overwhelmed with the increasing work load of general and special education students. In reference to this, IWB are able to create a sense of flexibility that allows teachers to make quick and effective adaptations with the click of a button.

This website is for users of SMART technology. You are able to find SMART board lessons in multiple content areas, grades, and states. An amazing feature is that you can pull up your state standards and search SMART board lessons that correlate to each standard for that state.

This website provides a list of resources that can be used with Interactive White Boards (IWB). The resources are broken up into the following categories, Primary, Mid/Upper Elementary, Middle School/High School, and Resources Great for Any Age. Each category has several resources and FREE links that will allow you to incorporate literacy into your classroom while using the technology of IWB.

This blog allows you to read, share, and express your thoughts about technology in the classroom. You are able to view resources that people have posted and continue to use in their classrooms. I think this is a great resource for teachers to stay connected with other teachers that support the use of technology in classrooms.