Back at TheOldPlace we had a marvellous whiteboard that could do some clever things (when the software worked) but I was vaguely aware we weren't using it to its full potential. I kept hearing from people who worked in schools and even kindergarten that they did whizzy things with theirs).
I was amused to learn when I arrived here that our library training room has an identical whiteboard. And identical software. So I became the instant expert on it and could demonstrate what little I knew it could do. (Touch typing on a giant virtual keyboard perhaps a foot wide always seems to amuse).
Fortunately a colleague here however was also aware they could do more and did some investigation. As a result we had some training this morning from the whiteboard company and the trainer also downloaded/installed [1] updated software that owners of the boards are entitled to.
Well, we'd expected no more than an hour if that, but were completely blown away by a morning of him showing us not just what it could do and applying it to our own teaching; but also by his enthusiasm for that and the pedagogy of why and what we were doing. He was one of those trainers that inspires you about the topic at hand but also about so much more. If only all teachers were like that.
[1] Naturally requiring the onsite presence of an IS guy to get round the blocks etc.
3 comments:
Here's a comment.
At my last company we installed one of these digital whiteboards; a mobile version that could be wheeled from room to room. We used it for IT training, and for the few of us who knew how to use it, it was a great asset.
But shortly after installation we moved offices, and the new location came with a different configuration of training rooms. As a result, the mobile whiteboard became redundant. It was reduced to being a traditional mobile whiteboard, that you wrote on with pens - and even then it was rarely used.
Shame, there seems to be so much you can do educationally with the things (used well). Not to mention the fun to be had!
Post a Comment