e - teaching

Students have been effectively learning with technology for many years and teachers have certainly been able to set students engaging technology based activities. However a single computer is not an effective teaching tool due to limited accessibility. Add a data projector and the effectiveness increases, add interactivity and the equation in complete.

One of the first benefits new users will notice is the increase in the level of student - teacher interaction which is focused around the board. No-one is stuck trying to teach from a static position behind a computer, the teacher is actively working within the class group, any of whom can also easily access the board. With an IWB it is much easier to step back and allow students to take an active part in the lesson.

Engaging students in this manner allows them to become active learners, rather than mere passive recipients of information, as they interact with the resources, their peers and the teacher. As a result, they internalise concepts more readily and exhibit a greater understanding of the material presented.

The emphasis is not on the teacher being in control of the technology but rather using that control to moderate material and guide students along the path to effective learning.

While there is bound to be an initial Wow! factor it quickly wanes and what is left is engaging educational activities. But of course, the whole concept depends on the teacher's creativity and commitment.

In "E-teaching with Interactive Whiteboards", Peter Kent identifies the key benefits of of e-teaching that create significant change in teaching practices.

1. E-teaching harnesses the power of digital technology to enhance the art of teaching in presenting concepts, contextual placement, creating knowledge links and leading student learning.

2. E-teaching is a group activity that is just as effective in small group or whole class context.

3. E-teaching is less didactic, being conducive to a truly interactive teaching and learning environment.

4. E-teaching is supported by the convergence of a range of digital technologies on the IWB.

5. E-teaching produces a multi-literacy teaching environment.

6. E-teaching on a IWB creates multi-sensory, multi-faceted lesson content.