"Reviewing the literature on interactive whiteboards": Research Journal 11

This article, as the introductory piece in a journal issue devoted to discussion of IWBs, explores some of the literature on interactive whiteboards and raises some interesting points.

One that sticks out to me is that "there is not a clear distinction made between the way in which the technical interactive affordances [of IWBs} ... and the way that these might intersect with the pedagogical interactive affordances (i.e. more effective interaction between teacher and learner or learners and learners that enhances the intended learning)." (Higgins et al, p. 219)

This is a very valid point that I think deserves unpacking. The technology may be highly interactive in nature, that is the user can manipulate the image by hand, but if it encourages a return to a didactic, 'sage on the stage' style of lesson delivery, then it actually reduces the interactivity of a given class.

Conversely, a teacher who under-utilises the interactivity of the screen may be facilitating a highly interactive class, that is one which involves a high level of interaction between teacher and students, or between students and students. The level of interactivity of the technology is not the important factor - that between the users is.

Source:
Higgins et al, "Reviewing the literature on interactive whiteboards", in Learning, Media and Technology, Vol. 32, No. 3, September 2007, pp. 213-225