A case study investigating the teaching and learning benefits of the interactive whiteboard for both teacher and student

This research project attempts to identify the teaching and learning benefits of the IWB for both student and teacher in a mixed Primary School in Co. Mayo. It is based on the introduction of nine Interactive Whiteboards installed in the school. It looks at how the pupils and teachers have embraced it over the year. In this case study, data was gathered from qualitative and quantitative methods in the form of drawings, interviews with 54 primary school children from ages 5-12, interviews with the Principal and a Microsoft Office Master Instructor (computer teacher), a questionnaire to nine members of staff and a follow-up focus group interview. Lessons were also conducted with forty four pupils from 3rd and 4th classes with pre and post testing carried out. One group of pupils were taught a lesson using the IWB and the other group were taught the same lesson using laptops. The research found that lack of resources for the Irish Primary School Curriculum and lack of training were the main drawbacks of having an IWB. If interactive lessons are not developed, it will revert to a “didactic” approach to learning. Pupils love having the IWB in their classroom due to its large visual element, its sound quality and its motivating factor for learning. Some pupils feel that if the teacher takes over they don‟t get sufficient chance to use it. The technical hitches annoy the children as much as the teachers. Having an IWB in a classroom allows teachers to integrate ICT. The report concludes there are not enough interactive resources that support the curriculum. Teachers need to collaborate more on resources that worked well saving valuable time. Teachers need to be aware that they need to keep up-to-date with training and therefore plan lessons which are “interactive” in nature otherwise these expensive boards are not used to their potential but only as a ceiling mounted projector for visual display.