Image retrieved from http://deweycsi.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/a-massive-lobbyist-driven-smartboard.html
Whilst I have no hands on experience in using an Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) I can present my informed opinion on using and applying the IWB in an educational context. Some benefits and challenges in effectively applying the IWB in the learning context are outlined below:
Benefits
The benefits of the IWB, most commonly reported are the value in displaying and working with visuals aids, flexibility in learning and the acquisition of knowledge and increased students engagement.
McKendrick & Bowden 1999; Smith & Blankinship 2000 share as cited in (Winzenried, Dalgarno & Tinkler, 2010) that various researchers have highlighted the capabilities of the IWB in displaying visual representations as being of major importance for learning, consistent with earlier studies exploring the value of visual representation more broadly for learning (p.535).
Lacina (2009) shares that applying the IWBs in the classroom meets the needs of visual learners (p.271). Based on my own personal experience in the learning environment and as a visual thinker the IWBs would have provided very beneficial to my learning style.
Challenges
The challenges of the IWB, most commonly reported are there cost, wide range of issues associated with the range of boards available and their impact on teaching pedagogy.
Winzenried, Dalgarno & Tinkler (2010) share that there are two main types of IWBs seen in schools the Smartboard and the Panasonic board. Stating that the key difference being that Panasonic boards requires the use of a special pen, whereas Smartboards could be used either with a purpose designed pen or with a finger (p.539). Lacina (2009) makes a great point in the drawbacks of the IWBs include the cost of equipping classrooms with the technology (p.271).
Whilst there are arguments in how IWB’s can be applied in teaching. Winzenried, Dalgarno & Tinkler (2010) shared that a teacher had attended a number of professional development activities run by the NSW Department of Education and Training, but felt that he needed time to immerse himself in a project to really learn to use it well (p.541). As a result of implementing the IWB in schools there is an expectation that teachers are skilled up in the functionality in order to apply them effectively in an educational context.
References:
Lacina, J. 2009. Technology in the Classroom. Interactive whiteboards: Creating higher-level, technological thinkers? Childhood Education. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/ps/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=RELEVANCE&docType=Essay&prodId=EAIM&tabID=T002&searchId=R2&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&contentSegment=¤tPosition=1&searchResultsType=SingleTab&inPS=true&userGroupName=csu_au&docId=GALE%7CA198931292&contentSet=GALE%7CA198931292&authCount=1&u=csu_au
Winzenried, A., Dalgarno, B., & Tinkler, J. 2010. The Interactive Whiteboard: A Transitional Technology Supporting Diverse Teaching Practices. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology.
Technology is not an event, its just part of the everyday learning! -quotesgram.com 
16/01/2017 at 11:15 am
Hi Kim,
I also chose to look at IWBs for this focus. I also haven’t had the chance to use them as I haven’t done my prac yet, and agree that we will truly be able to see their full benefit once we immerse ourselves into them. In the meantime, as a future maths and science teacher, I see the potential benefits also including time-saving by preloading and saving lessons, and allowing students to easily access saved lessons. I also think it may allow the class an easy connection to the outside world – whether that be through websites such as museums, galleries, etc for ‘excursions’ or simply further information. For maths, it has the clear benefits of integrating the use of graphing software to illustrate difficult concepts and ‘write in maths’ easier.
Cheers, Rebecca
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20/01/2017 at 10:59 am
Hello Kim,
I also chose IWBs as my focus. During my practicum, in a primary setting, I witnessed multiple teachers using this hardware more then other hardware for learning areas such as maths, science, fruit break, geography and creative arts. I do agree with you regarding the benefits of using the IWB, we first must be confident with managing this software for children to reap the benefits. If teachers are not confident this will delay student learning. The biggest problem i would find with saving lessons to the IWB would be the loss of connection or the internet server being down. However, saving resources there is also great as they are accessible at all times with a strong internet connection. I also was able to witness the benefits of the IWB in mathematics Rebecca.
I hope your studies are going well Kim.
Emma
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