The latest Newsweek tells us some teachers are taking extraordinary steps to get access to “interactive whiteboards,” the latest technology creating a buzz in the school arena.
Why are these items so popular? They apparently stave off student boredom:
So far, the data on the efficacy of touchscreens in U.S. classrooms is inconclusive, but promising. Multiple recent studies suggest that the devices boost attendance rates and classroom participation. Ever since Dorchester School District 2 in Summerville, S.C., installed 1,200 interactive boards in its classrooms, disciplinary incidents are way down. “Students were bored” before the touchscreens arrived, says Superintendent Joe Pye. “Trips to the principal’s office are almost nonexistent now.”
While interesting, the story ignored one major line of questioning: What do these interactive whiteboards help students learn? Can students learn more ? or learn more effectively ? because of the new technology?
If not, perhaps teachers and administrators should look for some ideas that would actually improve the educational process.
