Our society is forever developing new concepts, ideas and ways to communicate and interact using technology. As part of this fast-paced development, it is our responsibility to keep up to date with new ways of communicating and educating others as part of everyday life, as well as for new career and learning possibilities through the use of these technologies. In response to this, learning with ICT (information and communications technology) has exploded across the country and in most schools/education facilities is used within the curriculum.

The purpose for ICT is: “... support and enhance student learning across all areas of the curriculum. Students should develop and apply ICT knowledge, skills and appropriate social and ethical protocols and practices to investigate create and communicate, as well as developing their ability to manage and operate ICT to meet their learning needs” (ICT Capability).

However, in this fast-moving world of ICT today’s ‘trend’ can easily become tomorrow’s ‘fail’. It is a standard requirement that for a trend to become truly ingrained in society’s consciousness, it must incorporate business potential, whether by producing a useful service or appealing to a large demographic. The question which then must be asked is: Do today’s current educational facilities run and/or operate using successful or unnecessary ICT programs?

IWB’s (Interactive White Boards) are currently one of the most frequently used and highly adaptable ICT programs within schools across the country. This technology is considered to be a powerful teaching tool for educators and an excellent learning device for students. But what are the pros and cons for using such technology in classrooms?

Pros

Cons

-          Students like the interaction -          Teachers like being able to clearly demonstrate or explain something -          Students learn about technology -          Teachers can use Interactive Whiteboards in most lessons (versatility) -          Easy to use -          Accommodates all learning styles -          Suitable for all ages -          Students with special needs can use them -          Fun and enjoyable -          Attention grabber -          Encourages student participation

-          Motivation can wear off in students once used to the Interactive Whiteboards -          Interactive Whiteboards tend to be PC friendly not MAC friendly -          Problems with too many wires in the classroom -          Students interfering with and being attracted to playing with visible wires -          Clutters the classroom -          Takes a lot of time to pack away when needed -          Software crash or failure can lead to ineffectiveness and loss of attention

As part of my chosen study unit at University, in pairs or small groups, students were required to create their own IWB lesson for either a grade 8 or 9 subject and present it using their very own IWB presentation. Although I was not too keen on the idea of working on the assignment (as I was not at all familiar with the software) I thoroughly enjoyed learning and educating myself with the program and after watching other students present and demonstrate their final products I noticed that each IWB presentation was effective, fun and engaging but above all terrifically educational as students began to fully understand how to operate with such technology.

After weighing both pros and cons of such a tool we can clearly see that the good it does in a classroom quickly outweighs the bad. However if this technology is not properly utilized it can become a distraction for students and may quickly remove learning from the lesson (found through extensive research and personal experiences using the technology throughout the semester). That is why it is fundamental and extremely important for teachers to remain well-informed of the latest technologies, know how to use them effectively and clearly understand the methods in which to captivate their students in a positive and interactive way using these programs.

Bibliography

Current and Future Trends in ICT 2012, (2012). Retrieved May 16, 2013, from http://www.gradmalaysia.com/career-sector/article/current-and-future-trends-ict-2012

Gage, J. (2006). How to use an interactive whiteboard really effectively in your secondary classroom. London: David Fulton Publishers. (Chapter 3).

Putland, G. (2010) Some Thoughts on – The 7 Current Trends in ICT and Education. Retrieved May 16, 2013, from http://www.teachertechnologies.com/2010/04/some-thoughts-on-the-7-current-trends-in-ict-and-education-gary-putland/

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capability, (2012). Retrieved May 16, 2013, from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/GeneralCapabilities/Information-and-Communication-Technology-capability/Introduction/ICT-capability-across-the-curriculum