home

= **Week 1 (Aug. 30-Sept. 5): Introduction to the Interactive Whiteboard** =

What will we learn about in class this week?
During this first week of class you will need to spend time learning about background information and resources that are available for using interactive whiteboards in your classroom.

Specifically, you will:
 * 1) Learn about different types of interactive whiteboards that are available in schools. (Note: We will be using the Promethean interactive whiteboards because those are the boards that are installed in ISU C&I classrooms.)
 * 2) Explore the Promethean Planet website to learn about the online resources that are available for teachers who use interactive whiteboards in their classrooms.
 * 3) Complete the online course, **//An Introduction to ActivInspire, to learn the basics about this software that is used with the Promethean interactive whiteboard (Please make sure you have installed//** //Activinspire **on your laptop before starting this course.)**//

(Note: These videos are accessible through iTunesU at Iowa State. You must have iTunes loaded onto your computer to access these movies. Here are directions on how to login to iTunesU.)
 * __Movies to Watch:__**

**Course Introduction** (Time: 15:50)

**Week 1 in Review** (Time: 9:15)

** __Required Readings:__ **
//Authors: Heather J. Smith, Steve Higgins, Kate Wall & Jenn Miller// //Center for Learning and Teaching - University of Newcastle, UK//
 * Interactive Whiteboards: Boon or Bandwagon? A Critical Review of the Literature**

//Authors: Jocelyn Y. Johnson - Atlanta Public Schools & Jim Hirsch - Plano (Texas) Independent School District//
 * ISTE: Are Interactive Whiteboards Worth the Investment?**

**__Course Information:__**

**1. What types of interactive whiteboards do schools use?**
There are several types of interactive whiteboards. The most common brands include: Promethean, SMARTboard, Mimio and others. Promethean boards use the software entitled, ActivInspire Studio. Promethean Planet SMART Exchange MimioConnect

Buyer's Guide (Learning and Leading with Technology, August 2009) - This short article provides system information about interactive whiteboards from the following companies: eInstruction, Hitachi, mimio, Numonics, Panasonic, PolyVision, Promethean, and Smart.

Promethean Planet is a website designed to promote "community" between the users of Promethean interactive whiteboards. Other vendors have similar sites --- see SMART Exchange, MimoConnect, etc. Since ISU has installed Promethean boards we will be using that site to learn about ways interactive whiteboards can be used in the classroom. The idea will be that you can apply the skills used in learning the Promethean boards to any interactive whiteboard that you may have in your classroom.
 * 2. What** **interactive whiteboard** **resources can I find online?**

Spend some time this week (hopefully at least 30 minutes) exploring the "Planet" website. Pay close attention to items under the resources and professional development tabs. These areas offer a lot of materials for teachers to use in their classrooms. After spending some time on the website, then share with us something that you found that was interesting. There is a thread called, "Share Something Interesting," on our discussion board (on the wiki). Please respond to this post by describing at least one thing you found interesting about interactive whiteboards.

We all have different learning styles! Since this is an online course and designed not to meet face-to-face, we are trying to use as many online mechanisms to learn about using interactive whiteboards as possible. But, there is nothing like hands-on learning too!
 * 3. How can I begin learning about how to use an interactive whiteboard?**

Learning how to use an interactive whiteboard's software is one of the first things that you must become familiar with in using this instructional tool in the classroom. Promethean already has designed online courses for teachers - some are free, some cost $$$. You are going to enroll in a free course to begin learning about **ActivInspire** (Promethean's interactive whiteboard software). The course that I would like for you to take this week is - //**Intro to ActivInspire Online Course**//. Notice that you can enroll in one of two sections - ActivInspire - Primary (recommended ages 5-9) or ActivInspire - Studio (recommended ages 11+). You are more than welcome to do both classes, but I would like everyone to enroll in ActivInspire - Studio and complete that "course." This course will take you through a series of tutorials, so remember you should have the software loaded onto your own laptop before you begin this course.

An online course such as this is one way many classroom teachers today learn about new things to use in their classrooms. After you graduate from ISU, there will always be online learning opportunities for you! After you complete this course, submit a "transcript of completion" to serve as evidence that you "passed!" Take the assessment and then upload this document to our class Moodle site.

Great question!! You are going to want to save some time in your busy schedule for "lab time!" I am going to try to schedule "lab times" each week when I know that you could get into a classroom (be patient with our room situation due to flood) and practice with the interactive whiteboard. I will try to be available during those times to help you and answer any questions you may have about the interactive whiteboard. You are welcome to go into the classroom (N047 Lagomarcino) at any time that there is not a class in there, it doesn't have to be my designated "lab time." However, I may not be available to help and answer questions.
 * 4. How can I actually get hands-on experience using an interactive whiteboard if I am enrolled in an online class?**

This first week you will be pretty busy completing the online course and becoming familiar with our course in general, so I am not sure how many of you will need "lab time." However, the online Promethean course that you will be taking mentions calibrating the board, using the pen, and just using ActivInspire in general. You might actually want to spend some time working with the board already this week. So check out our class Calendar to see "lab time" for this week.

**__Assignments this Week:__**
 * 1) ** "Passionate Profile" (Student Introductions) - Please read the attached file (Due: Friday, Sept. 3 - 10 PM). [[file:454xProfile.pdf]] **
 * 2) ** Read required readings assigned. **
 * 3) ** Obtain a copy of the software - **//ActivInspire// - ** (Make arrangements with Dr. Schmidt to load on your laptop.) **
 * 4) Go to the Promethean Planet website. Become a member by creating your own login and password. (Don't forget your login name and password - write it down somewhere!). Spend some time exploring this website and the resources available. "Share Something Interesting" the wiki Discussion Board (Due: Tuesday, Sept. 7 - 10 PM).
 * 5) Enroll and complete the online course entitled, **//An Introduction to ActivInspire//.** (Studio version) You must submit a transcript of completion as evidence that you have completed the course. Upload this document to our class //**Moodle**// site.
 * 6) Lab Time! - (Optional) Go to N047 Lagomarcino for some hands-on experience using the interactive whiteboard. See Calendar for lab times designated for this week.