In today’s classrooms, the traditional blackboards are being replaced by something far more engaging and interactive: Interactive WhiteBoards (IWBs). These boards bring lessons to life in ways that textbooks and chalk just cannot. But what is so special about them?
Let’s take a look at five ways interactive whiteboards can boost teaching outcomes and create a better learning environment for everyone.
- They Make Learning Exciting
A teacher knows better how tough it can be to keep students focused while teaching. This is where IWBs come to the rescue. These boards let you play videos and animations, show colourful images, and even offer games to teach. So, instead of just writing static notes on a board, you can show a 3D solar system in a science class or play an educational video on Indus Valley Civilisation in a history class.
This level of interaction helps make learning more enjoyable whilst keeping students more glued to the lesson. It works particularly well for visual and kinesthetic learners. When students are excited about what they see and do, they are far more likely to stay engaged, understand, and remember the material better. A Harvard study shows that students learn more when taking part in active learning than when listening to traditional lectures.
- They Bring Students Together
Group activities are better off when done using interactive whiteboards. These boards have multi-touch functionality. This function allows multiple students to write, draw, or interact with the smart interactive whiteboard, all at the same time. So, whether they are solving a math problem together, racking their brains for ideas, or playing a learning game, IWBs make it all easy.
Imagine making teams in class and having them compete with each other to answer questions directly on the interactive whiteboard. This would help students build teamwork and communication skills, which are essential to survival and success in life, not just in the classroom. Collaboration also allows students to learn from their classmates, which can be just as helpful as what they learn from the teacher.
- They Work for Every Learning Style
Every classroom contains different types of learners. Some students excel through auditory learning, others through visuals, and some need tactile involvement. IWBs meet the needs of all learners.
- Auditory learners understand better by listening to sound clips and explanations combined with animations.
- Visual learners learn best by seeing the study material in charts, diagrams, images, and videos.
- Tactile learners connect with lessons by interacting with the board, whether by drawing, moving, or manipulating items.
IWBs help create a learning space where every student can learn in the way that works best for their learning style.
- They Save Teachers Time
If you are a teacher, you must know how time-consuming lesson planning can be. However, IWBs help simplify this planning process. Today, many IWBs have built-in tools, templates, and apps that make lesson preparation far more effortless. You can prepare presentations, download lesson plans, use built-in tools to organise your teaching materials and even save your work to revisit later. All these features will help you to spend more time teaching and less time worrying about logistics.
Additionally, IWBs enable real-time annotations. You can write directly on the interactive whiteboard, highlight important points, and even respond to student questions by explaining the topics on the board. Thus, this enhances the flow of the lesson.
- They Encourage Students to Explore on Their Own
Interactive whiteboards are not just for you; as a teacher, they are also a great way to get students involved. Many IWBs let students use educational apps, research topics, solve problems on board, or present their ideas in front of the class.
For instance, a student could lead a presentation, say on World War II, using an interactive map on the board to show how and where Germany invaded Poland or how and where the Allied Powers defeated Nazi Germany, bringing an end to World War II in Europe. These experiences of learning and presenting through IWBs help students build confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, which are invaluable in and out of the classroom.
Final Thoughts
Interactive whiteboards (IWBs) are not just about adding technology to your classroom but about creating a better way to teach and learn. They make lessons more interactive, engaging, and inclusive, allowing every student to thrive while building essential skills for the future. Whether you are a teacher looking to connect with your students in new ways or a school thinking about upgrading, IWBs are smart choices.
Have questions or curious about how IWBs can make a difference in your classroom? Get in touch with us today—we are here to help!
