Anyone have Interactive Whiteboard Software suggestions?

[Mike Adams]

I'm getting a new Promethean board when I return from the holiday
break. I've been looking around for software that might be useful in
my classes and I'm not finding much. So, I was wondering if anyone
here has a piece of software that they use with these boards. Thanks
for any suggestions!

[Brenda Terry]

Most textbooks has interactive software that goes with their text.
Person, who is pitching their math text now is offering their interactive
software when you attend one of their sales pitches.

The most exciting software for remediation is offered free on the wii.com
site. Integers, fractons, etc.

Also on the STEM Tennessee site, the NCTM illumations has lots and lots of
interactive software.

I, too will be using a "smart board" for the first time in class starting
in January. If you get other suggestions let me know.

Brenda Terry

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Brenda Terry
Math Teacher
Tullahoma High School
ter...@k12tn.net
school phone: 454-2620
home phone: 455-5186

[Mike Adams]

Well, the first three days are through and I can already tell this
board will change my teaching style drastically. If you happen to be
using the Promethean ActivInspire software, then Promethean planet has
more info than you can imagine. The software should be compatible
with most boards. It has a free trial period and then reverts to a
still useful "Personal Edition". If you're using other software it
may be useful to download the ActivInspire just to see if it has any
features you can use. I'm pretty sure you'd still be able to download
all the free lessons that are offered and use them with the Personal
Edition. The worst aspect of the Promethean resources is that there's
so much that I'm having slight difficulty navigating through all their
online resources. I guess that's a good problem to have. If you're
interested, check out www.prometheanplanet.com .

[Brenda Terry]

Mike how are you using your new board? What are you doing differently
that will change your teaching forever?

Brenda Terry
Tullahoma High School

> Well, the first three days are through and I can already tell this
> board will change my teaching style drastically. If you happen to be
> using the Promethean ActivInspire software, then Promethean planet has
> more info than you can imagine. The software should be compatible
> with most boards. It has a free trial period and then reverts to a

> still useful "Personal Edition". If you're using other softwarMikde it

> may be useful to download the ActivInspire just to see if it has any
> features you can use. I'm pretty sure you'd still be able to download
> all the free lessons that are offered and use them with the Personal
> Edition. The worst aspect of the Promethean resources is that there's
> so much that I'm having slight difficulty navigating through all their
> online resources. I guess that's a good problem to have. If you're
> interested, check out www.prometheanplanet.com .
>

[Mike Adams]

Let's see...

First, I have to tell you that until now my everyday classroom
technology consisted of a whiteboard, overhead projector, and an lcd
projector on a cart which could only be used with a rearrangement of
my classroom. With the lcd projector I use a CPS ("clicker") system
for the occasional quiz/review. I'm not complaining about any of
this, but these are all tools that collectively only (weakly) enhanced
my previous teaching style/method/presentation, etc.

Enter the IWB; Interactive White Board. With the click of a button I
can display photos, videos, interactive games, virtual demonstrations,
interactive notes... all directly in sync with my lesson. You know,
my kids always really liked when I'd pull out that overhead and whip
out the ti-84, at least that meant they could get a little hands-on
and the lights went off so we could see the calculator projection.
(Hmmm... that sounded a bit odd - get a little hands on with the
lights off.) True, we'd do other projects from time to time, but even
after a few weeks use my kids are still in awe when I put a new IWB
tool to use. I swear, they gasp. I'd say I'm pretty proficient with
this new tool at this point, but the most exciting thing is that I
know without a doubt that I still have tons to learn (as proven by the
200+ pages left to read in the user guide). Now I can build a library
of online videos, pictures, music, games, and whatever other media I
can scrape up to incorporate DAILY into my lessons. I can remember a
dozen years ago when Prentice Hall included a disk of software math
tools to use in class. I think it had an interactive algebra tiles
application on there. At the time I thought, "This is the way I want
to teach in the future." Well, in my eyes, the future is here.

I guess what I'm saying is that my classroom has always been self-
contained; my domain, my knowledge imparted. Now I can throw open the
doors and let the rest of the world in so my students can experience
it. Not only that, but it's almost a completely effortless change.
No longer do I feel like the weight of my students is completely on my
shoulders. All those activities that I've found or made that are in
my filing cabinets are great, but now I can find even better usable
interactive material with a quick Google search.

Even better is that I know that this technology (at least where
software is considered) is still in its formative years, the
possibilities are seemingly endless. I can visualize a few years from
now when my students are taking their quizzes on their cell phones
which will be connected to my computer and IWB through a bluetooth
connection. Or, instead of pulling out my CPS system, they'll be able
to answer polls from their cell phone. Oh, and those kids that don't
have a cell phone? No problem, people donate their old cells all the
time for just such use.

Brenda, thanks for asking the question. Took me a week to realize the
answer myself.

[Brenda Terry]

Thanks so much for you answer. I am trying to decide whether to start
using IPADS or use a whiteboard. There is a whiteboard not in use in our
department and I can have it if I want. I am not sure of the advantage of
a white board vs the use of a tablet. I think the difference is the hands
on on the students. Do your students operate the white board?

bterry