SPARK SMART ART: The Wonder of Interactive Whiteboards in the Elementary Classroom

National Art Education AssociationSan Diego, CAMarch 30, 2014

Paige Vitulli, Associate ProfessorUniversity of South AlabamaCollege of Educationpvitulli@southalabama.edu

Interactive White Boards ~ IWB’s There are various brands of interactive white boards, a

combination of a whiteboard, computer and projector

SMART BoardTM was first introduced by Smart Technologies in 1991, and combine the functionality of a whiteboard, computer, and projector into a single system.

Children can perform all mouse and keyboard functions, use digital ink to write over documents or Web sites, and access or produce information by simply touching the board.

SMART’s touch-control feature takes advantage of children’s natural, intuitive movements and innate desire to touch and is not limited to the touch of a finger or hand.

Interactive White Boards ~ IWB’s Paint brushes, tennis balls, and other non-abrasive

pointers may be used to meet a diversity of motor skill levels.

The simple operation empowers our youngest learners to independently navigate the system as they engage in multi-sensory learning experiences, often collaborating and communicating with peers since the large work area invites socialization.

As an added bonus, the board’s surface is virtually indestructible and easily cleaned with a damp cloth.

Best Practices

A student’s interaction with a whiteboard is more meaningful when cementing concepts and new information.

The Art and Science of Teaching Teaching with Interactive Whiteboards ASCD – Educational Leadership ~Robert J. Marzano

Three features inherent in interactive whiteboards have a statistically significant relationship with student achievement

The first is the learner-response device—handheld voting devices that students use to enter their responses to questions.

A second feature is the use of graphics and other visuals to represent information.

A third feature is the interactive whiteboard reinforcer—applications that teachers can use to signal that an answer is correct or to present information in an unusual context. These applications include dragging and dropping correct answers into specific locations, acknowledging correct answers with virtual applause, and uncovering information hidden under objects.

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov09/vol67/num03/Teaching-with-Interactive-Whiteboards.aspx

The Art and Science of Teaching Teaching with Interactive Whiteboards ASCD – Educational Leadership ~Robert J. Marzano

Three features inherent in interactive whiteboards have a statistically significant relationship with student achievement

The first is the learner-response device—handheld voting devices that students use to enter their responses to questions.

A second feature is the use of graphics and other visuals to represent information.

A third feature is the interactive whiteboard reinforcer—applications that teachers can use to signal that an answer is correct or to present information in an unusual context. These applications include dragging and dropping correct answers into specific locations, acknowledging correct answers with virtual applause, and uncovering information hidden under objects.

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov09/vol67/num03/Teaching-with-Interactive-Whiteboards.aspx

The Art and Science of Teaching Teaching with Interactive Whiteboards ASCD – Educational Leadership ~Robert J. Marzano

Some potential pitfalls in using the technology:

Using the voting devices but doing little with the findings.

Not organizing or pacing the content well.

Using too many visuals. Digital flipchart pages were awash with visual stimuli; it was hard to identify the important content.

Paying too much attention to reinforcing features. For example, when teachers who had worse results with the technology used the virtual applause feature to signal a correct answer, the emphasis seemed to be on eliciting the applause rather than on clarifying the content.

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov09/vol67/num03/Teaching-with-Interactive-Whiteboards.aspx

Creative Ways to Use Your Interactive WhiteboardNEA Professional Resources

The unfortunate reality is that while they have become common in many schools, they are often used as glorified projector screens.

All of the sites listed below not only have great resources for your particular software and vendor, but they also have forums, blogs and other community features that allow you to connect with other educators using the same products as you.

Promethean Planet - Download interactive “flipcharts,” search through interactive web links and find images, sounds and movie resources in downloadable resource packs for Promethean ActivInspire software.

SMART Exchange - Download SMART “notebooks,” connect with other teachers and find lessons tied to your standards. You can also create notebooks online using the SMART Express site and then save them directly to your computer.

WizTeach Share - A fledgling teacher community for those using the interactive WizTeach software. Download lessons, contribute lessons you’ve made yourself or visit the forum to discuss with other teachers.

http://www.neamb.com/professional-resources/using-interactive-whiteboard.htm

Art.com on the SMART Board

Magic Pen

Engage students in responding to visual representations using the magic pen feature.

I and the Village by Chagall Marc Chagall’s I in the Village is an intriguing

and colorful work of art to share with students of all ages. When first showing this artwork to children, you may ask open-ended questions such as: “What title would you give this work of art?” or “If the artist were in the room, what would you ask him?” During this initial phase of exploration, information about the artist, title or content, can be hidden from view using a screen shade

Shade Feature

SMART Board’s screen shade feature allows content to be exposed gradually.

Disappearing Ink

You may guide students in identifying examples of lines, shapes, forms, colors, or even specific content which they are discussing by allowing them to use the Magic Pen to draw directly on the art displayed on the SmartBoard. These marks will disappear in a matter of seconds as the discussion continues.

Disappearing Ink

Spotlight

When a closed circle is drawn using the Magic

Pen, the enclosed area will be spotlighted. This

enables the teacher to select the specific content or feature being discussed and compels the learners

to focus on the aspect being spotlighted. Further, letting children draw the

spotlight will instantly transform a traditional

discussion into an engaging I-Spy activity.

Magnify

Drawing a closed square

directly on the art

magnifies the selection, permitting

closer observation of

a selected area

Interactive Sites for IWB’s

Eduweb http://www.eduweb.com/portfolio/visualarts.phpThis website has a list of great interactive educational websites. This link will take you specifically to the visual arts list. I have not tried them all out but my personal favorites are The Rennaissance Connection, ArtEdventures, and A.Pintura: Art Detective.

NGA Kids JUNGLE Interactive http://www.nga.gov/kids/zone/jungle.htmCreate an imaginary landscape with NGAkids JUNGLE. Mix and match the animals, control the weather and lighting conditions, or construct flowers, trees, and plants. An "AUTO" button generates random compositions, so you can sample program options and experiment with special effects as a starting point for your own designs. This Shockwave interactive is intended for children of all ages. JUNGLE is inspired by the paintings of French artist Henri Rousseau.

Mr. Picassohead http://www.picassohead.com/create.html Create your own Picasso Head

Jackson Pollock http://www.jacksonpollock.org/ Create splatter-paint images in the style of Jackson Pollock

Kaleidescope Painter http://www.permadi.com/java/spaint/spaint.html Create kaleidescope design

Interactive Sites for IWB’s

Tessellate! http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/Tessellate/ This activity allows the user to generate a polygon that will repeat without

overlapping across a plane. Starting from a rectangle, triangle or hexagon, the user bends the lines of the polygon, creating a new polygon. The user can choose several different colors to enhance the pattern, and can observe the different effects that colors have on tessellations.

My Oats http://www.myoats.com/create.aspx My oats is a community where people create designs using an online drawing application. These designs can be rated, downloaded, and archived.

MoMa Destination Modern Art http://www.moma.org/interactives/destination/

This site takes learners through an animated and interactive galactic fantasy exploring modern art.

Art Pad http://artpad.art.com/artpad/painter/

This is an online program where learners can create their own art.

Questions? Comments? Ideas?