“What did I learn and how can I use it in the future?”
I really enjoyed learning about the different types of interactive whiteboards. This is my first school year with a SMART board, and before this year I was completely foreign to the concept. All I had in my dance classroom was an old boombox and a dysfunctional TV set! I had heard of Promethean boards and SMART boards, but I had never heard of PolyVision, Interwrite, or Numonics. I feel much more familiar with these tools now and I am equipped to discuss them with another colleague or professional if the opportunity were to present itself.
After reading all of the interactive whiteboards' websites, brochures, and customer reviews, I am realizing how massive interactive technology in the classroom really is! This is a huge movement for America's educational realm and it is only going to continue to grow and develop. Interactive whiteboards are a key part of technology in the class; affecting our lesson plans, class activities, class projects, class assignments, grading, assessments, and research. Interactive technology will go on to influence our state test scores, student learning styles, and the way we communicate on both a professional and on a personal level. Like any other sudden movement or trend, a lot of money, marketing, and sales go into the interactive whiteboard. I was intrigued about how different companies advertised their product by offering slightly different deals and promotions. For example, Numonics offers a pen set complete with batteries, a recharger, and a red pen if the customer can afford to buy the whole set in addition to the costly board. On the other hand, Interwrite offers to include a wall-mount bracket, but the projector is sold separately. I found it very interesting how various companies compiled differing deals for their product. I was also surprised about the several shades of difference I found in terms of warranty. Since the interactive whiteboard is such a large and expensive classroom resource, I assumed all competing companies would have to offer the same (or very similar) warranty plans in order to stay afloat. However, all of the warranty plans fluctuated between 2 years and a full lifetime. As an individual who is immersed mostly in education and the arts, I am still amazed when I realize how much the corporate business world is involved in so many aspects of our everyday lives.
If I had to choose an interactive whiteboard for my classroom, I think I would give PolyVision a chance. As I wrote, I have a SMART board in my room and I do love it! I am extremely grateful to have this tool at my fingertips; it has enhanced my lessons and classroom activities immensely. It has also helped me to project music at a greater level and it allows me to cater to my visual, kinesthetic, and auditory learners all at the same time. However, in a school district overwhelming in size and slightly disorganized, my cords and supplemental equipment have been misplaced more than once already. None of my cords or pens were in the proper place when I returned to school in September. After Ms. Diane Maguire thankfully lent me some new cords, I had to buy my own dock in order to get my SMART board up and running. After I had a sick day out of the classroom in November, all of my equipment was missing again! I had to buy another dock and thankfully recovered the other cords and connectors. I think PolyVision would be much easier to manage, maintain, and care for since there are no cords, cables, or power outlets needed. In addition, I really appreciate that this product is made of all recycled material. This interactive whiteboard tools are large in size and intricate in design, the more materials and resources we can save on our earth, the better! PolyVision can host up to three interactive users at the same time, whereas my SMART board can only accommodate two users. Lastly, the board comes with a "forever" warranty, meaning for its entire lifetime.
I am very glad that I was given this assignment so that I am now more knowledgeable about interactive whiteboards in general and the most popular options available!
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