Week+3

**What will we learn about in class this week?**
Students will:
 * 1) Create a flipchart that uses advanced features of the interactive whiteboard software to design activities/lessons that promote student interactivity and engagement.
 * 2) Locate and evaluate additional websites that can be engaging, interactive instructional tools when used with interactive whiteboards.

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**__Movies to Watch:__** = =

Movie(s) will be posted Tuesday!!

__Required Readings:__
Beyond the 'Wow' Factor: Developing Interactivity with the Interactive Whiteboard Authors: Gary Beauchamp & John Parkinson Article published in //School Science Review//; March, 2005

**__Course Information:__** **1. What happens when the 'wow' factor with using an interactive whiteboard has passed?** This week's reading poses an interesting thought - beyond the 'wow factor.' The authors of that article bring up an interesting point, what happens when a teacher has exhausted all of the interactive whiteboard's routines? Will students become less attentive and lose motivation? Our goal this week is to think about what can interactive whiteboards do that whiteboards, blackboards, flipcharts etc. can't? As we develop lessons and activities for our classrooms we must think about the interactive in interactive whiteboard. As the author states, "What are the advantages of using an IWB over the projection of PowerPoint slides on to an ordinary whiteboard" (Beauchamp & Parkinson, 2005, p. 98). Answer: PowerPoint tends to be linear in nature where the teacher transmits the information, while an IWB's features promote interactivity (e.g., containers, learner response, revealing text, etc.) where students are encouraged to come and manipulate images and words on the board.

When using an IWB, teachers must think about their pedagogy (how they teach). Thus, teachers will use an IWB to support their existing teacher pedagogy meaning they will use it very similar to how they use a whiteboard or overhead projector. As teachers gain more experience in designing IWB lessons (as you are in this course!), they will begin to use more of the interactive features of the board. This week we want to focus on developing your skills of designing lessons that are interactive and engaging for students.

**2. What are some of the advanced features in ActivInspire that can be used to create interactive activities/lessons?** There are many advanced features in IWB software that users can use to create highly interactive activities/lessons for the classroom. These are the "Wow Factor" features! The ActivTips page provides short video presentations on several advanced features in **ActivInspire**. This week, please take time to learn about the following "Wow Factor" features by watching the videos provided on the ActivTips page and then create your own interactive examples using these features in **ActivInspire**. (Note: //Give time to load this page and the videos. Have a good Internet connection!//)


 * Tickertape ** - Add a tickertape scroller to your flipchart. Keep in mind -- Why would you use this feature?
 * Page Turn Effects ** - Add "cool" transitions to your flipcharts.
 * Sound Options **- Add sounds to your flipcharts. Use pre-made sounds wisely!!
 * Recording Sound **- Record your own voice and/or sounds.
 * Objects and Sounds **- Check out how to play a sound when you click on an object.
 * Container Example ** - Learn how containers can be used to make your lessons more interactive.
 * Container Object **- Learn how to match objects to specific containers.
 * Container Keyword ** - Learn how to match keywords to specific containers.
 * Eraser vs. Magic Ink Tool ** - Explore the differences between these two tools.
 * Spotlight Tools ** - Allows you to focus student attention to a particular area on the flipchart. Check out parts 1 & 2 too!
 * Revealer Tool ** - Reveal information line-by-lline or area-by-area on a flipchart.


 * Check out other ActivTips that look interesting!! There are so many more advanced features - try out as many as you can!! **

**3. What other software can be used with interactive whiteboards?** So far, we have really focused on using the software program that was designed for use with the Promethean IWB - **ActivInspire**. These types of software programs are specially designed to be used with 'vendor' specific boards and provide teachers with a wide range of teaching tools. However, teachers must not forget about other software programs (like PowerPoint, Excel, Comic Life, etc.) that can be used for lessons/activities, and remember that many websites work really well with IWBs.

Check out this website from the Educational Technology Center - Interactive Whiteboard Links. This site has identified existing websites that work well with IWBs in the areas of math, science, social studies, language arts, music, PE, and other. This is one of my favorite math sites (sorry, Anne!) - National Library of Virtual Manipulatives - can you imagine using these math manipulatives on an IWB? Spend some time looking at some of these sites as you might incorporate some of these into your lesson plans!

Other classroom software companies have started integrating IWB features right into their software. BrainPOP has interactive whiteboard resources available on its website. Take a look at this screencast that explains how students use ActiVotes and/or ActivExpressions while completing BrainPOP quizzes. Check out other links on this page! StarrMatica Learning Systems creates interactive lessons for K-6 math and reading. See how this company incorporates interactive whiteboards into instruction here.

**__Assignments this Week:__**
 * 1) Read required reading as assigned.
 * 2) Spend time watching the **ActivTips tutorials** that are highlighted in Question 2 above and practice using these features in **ActivInspire.** Create a **1-5 page flipchart** that uses **at least three** of these advanced features (For example: Set up one page that uses a container and plays sound and another page that uses the spotlight tool. All three advance features could be used on on page of a flipchart.) You may use and build upon the flipchart you created for the Week 2 assignment, or you may create a totally new flipchart on a different curriculum topic. Remember, give yourself **TIME** to learn how to create flipcharts using these advanced features. (Due: Monday, Sept. 20 @ 10 PM - 20 points)
 * 3) Share an interesting website! After investigating the Interactive Whiteboard Links site, go to our Student Sharing Page (wiki) and post the link to an interesting site/resource that you found. In a brief summary, explain why you think this site would be an excellent ( and interactive ) site to use with the IWB. (Due: Monday, Sept. 20 @ 10 PM - 5 points)