Some of the frustration that I experienced last week has been alleviated. As you may recall from last week’s post, I was unable to fulfill one of my goals – reading up on how to get my interactive whiteboard operational. There were two reasons for this. First, I was unable to find the manuals provided for the system – I thought they were lost. Second, I could not recall what the brand name was for my interactive white board – therefore, I could not search for any information on the internet. Fortunately, the manuals were not lost. I located them in one of my desk drawers. In my haste to leave for Thanksgiving break, I simply overlooked them.
On Monday when we returned to school, I decided that I did not want to wait until this coming Friday for the training. I wanted to get my interactive whiteboard functional. After several attempts at trying to get things working, I was finally able to use it. I am hoping to start using some of the functions available with the software over the next couple of days before the training. If I have any operational questions, I want to be able to ask the trainer.
From what I have been able to determine, the system is relatively easy to use. I have already been able to show several other staff members in my building how to turn on the system. We spent a portion of our lunch period trying to use some of the board’s different features. I will also spend some time over the next several days exploring the company’s websites to become more familiar with what curriculum-related materials are available. Over the next several weeks, in preparation for the upcoming history unit, I will also be spending some time on the internet looking for virtual websites that my students can use during class.
On Monday when we returned to school, I decided that I did not want to wait until this coming Friday for the training. I wanted to get my interactive whiteboard functional. After several attempts at trying to get things working, I was finally able to use it. I am hoping to start using some of the functions available with the software over the next couple of days before the training. If I have any operational questions, I want to be able to ask the trainer.
From what I have been able to determine, the system is relatively easy to use. I have already been able to show several other staff members in my building how to turn on the system. We spent a portion of our lunch period trying to use some of the board’s different features. I will also spend some time over the next several days exploring the company’s websites to become more familiar with what curriculum-related materials are available. Over the next several weeks, in preparation for the upcoming history unit, I will also be spending some time on the internet looking for virtual websites that my students can use during class.
Ray,
ReplyDeleteThis is great news! You are certainly applying the NETS-T standards to your personal and professional growth. It is awesome to be able to share your talents with others as well - keep up the great work!
-Stephen
Have you tried involving a student or two as "board helpers"? I also find that there is some geeky (strickly speaking in a computer sense) kid in the class who can figure any type of technology out. And instead of listening to them relentlessly offer tip and suggestion from their desk - I make them put their "money where their mouth is" and turn them into class technolgy aides. Not only do they help get my Promethean Board set and calibrated, but they are also in charge of the audio/video equipment and if I'm gone, they come by at the beginning of each class to help the guest teacher get the videos running. Might be worth a try?
ReplyDeleteHi Stephen and Todd,
ReplyDeleteThank you both for your comments. Yes, it was kind of cool to be able to show other teachers how to use the board...however rudimentary it was. Yes, I have been thinking about using some students as my helpers. In fact, I was thinking about it on Friday when I tried to use one of the functions on the board to little success. Now that I have been given the initial training, I think that the board will become a major part of my instruction. I am hoping that my students will be as excited as I am about finally being able to use the board.
Raymond,
ReplyDeleteThat is great that you are finally able to get the interactive white board working. We are getting our first two this year. We are trying to talk the administration into putting one of them in the computer lab so that more of us will have access to it. I would love to hear some of the activities you are able to implement using it. Keep up the good work.