Types of Boards in Teaching Mathematics

BLACK – BOARD/CHALKBOARD

      Chalkboards, perhaps the most important visual aid for teaching mathematics. It is the most indispensable tool in the hands of a mathematics teacher. Mathematics cannot be taught effectively without the use of chalkboard. Use of colour chalks can make the blackboard work appealing and attractive. A mathematics teacher can make use of the blackboard for:

Ø  Drawing geometrical figures and illustrating construction of geometrical figures.

Ø  Developing various steps of the solution of a problem or proof of a theorem.

Ø  Drawing graphs.

Ø  Writing important points to draw the attention of the students.

Ø  Interrelating mathematical concepts and principles.

Ø  Writing problems for assignment and drill.

Ø  Summarizing the day’s lesson.

               Black-board is an integral part of the Mathematics classroom. The black-board should be well polished and smooth. It should be black in colour and fit for writing with a chalk. In some places the colour of black-board has now been made green. This has been done because the green colour is useful for eye sight.

Hints on Effective Use of the Chalkboard

1.       The chalkboard should be cleaned before using it.

2.       The writing on the chalkboard should be neat and legible so that it can be easily understood by the students.

3.       The writing on the blackboard should be straight and visible to the entire class.

4.       Highlight key concepts with coloured chalk either by underlining or enclosing in boxes.

5.       The mathematical figures should be correct and proportionate to the measurements used.

6.       While writing on the board, the teacher should keep talking to the students to hold the attention of the class.

7.       The teacher can encourage students’ participation by asking them to write or draw on the blackboard.

8.       The teacher should take adequate care to see that the writings on the board are accurate and appropriate.

Advantages:-

1.      It is used to develop various steps of the solution of a problem (or) proof of the -Orem.

2.      It is used for drawing important diagrams.

3.      It is used to compare and contrast certain important results. Such are noted down on B.B.

4.      Black-board can also be used to plot certain graphs (or) curves showing various inter-relationships, presenting statistical data etc.

FLANNEL – BOARD

    Flannel board is an excellent device for exhibiting diagrams, geometrical figures, prepared materials, showing interrelationship among various mathematical ideas, sequence of steps in the derivation of a formula or steps in solving problems. Flannel board consists of a piece of flannel stretched tightly over a strong backing of plywood. The items to be depicted on the flannel board should be pasted with small piece of sand paper at its backside so that it can be made to stick on the flannel board.

The flannel board can be used for

Ø  Showing the sequence of steps in the derivation a formula, proof of a theorem and solution of a problem.

Ø  Rearranging the steps in the proper sequence.

Ø  Moving certain parts of a geometrical a figures to another position so as to get a new geometrical figure. For example put up a parallelogram ABCD on the flannel board. Cut it along DE

             We get the right-angled ∆ ADE. Place it on the other side the parallelogram. We get a rectangle EACD.

     This activity is very useful in computing the area of a parallel gram by comparing it with that of a rectangle.

BULLETIN BOARD:

            The bulletin board is used for displaying bulletins, announcements, and visual displays that are interesting to the students. Bulletin boards are usually made of wood with thick flannel cloth on them and a wooden frame running around it with a glass covering on the front side.

Advantages:-

1.       To motivate, arouse curiosity and build enthusiasm in students.

2.       To display work done by students.

3.       To display graphic and pictorial material linked with the curriculum in an attractive manner.

MAGNETIC BOARD

     Magnetic board is a modification over the flannel board. Instead of flannel. A metallic sheet is fixed on the plywood. Small magnets are used to hold the materials to be exhibited on the metallic boards. It serves the same purpose as a flannel board does.

Manipulative materials in Mathematics

                  Manipulatives are physical objects that are used as teaching tools to engage students in the hands-on learning of mathematics. They can be used to introduce, practice, or remediate a concept. A manipulative may be as simple as grains of rice or as sophisticated as a model of our solar system.

           In mathematics education, a manipulative is an object which is designed so that a learner can perceive some mathematical concept by manipulating it, hence its name. The use of manipulatives provides a way for children to learn concepts through developmentally appropriate hands-on experience.

       In mathematics education, a manipulative is an object which is designed so that a learner can perceive some mathematical concept by manipulating it, hence its name. The use of manipulatives provides a way for children to learn concepts through developmentally appropriate hands-on experience.

       The use of manipulatives in mathematics classrooms throughout the world grew considerably in popularity throughout the second half of the 20th century. Mathematical manipulatives are frequently used in the first step of teaching mathematical concepts, that of concrete representation. The second and third step are representational and abstract, respectively.

        Mathematical manipulatives can be purchased or constructed by the teacher.

Virtual manipulatives for mathematics are computer models of these objects. Notable collections of virtual manipulatives include The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives and the Ubersketch.

Multiple experiences with manipulatives provide children with the conceptual foundation to understand mathematics at a conceptual level and are recommended by the NCTM.

            Some of the manipulatives are now used in other subjects in addition to mathematics. For example, Cuisenaire rods are now used in language arts and grammar, and pattern blocks are used in fine arts.

In teaching and learning

     Mathematical manipulatives play a key role in young children’s mathematics understanding and development. These concrete objects facilitate children’s understanding of important math concepts, then later help them link these ideas to representations and abstract ideas. Here we will look at pattern blocks, interlocking cubes, and tiles and the various concepts taught through using them. This is by no means an exhaustive list (there are so many possibilities!), rather, these descriptions will provide just a few ideas for how these manipulatives can be used.

Base Ten Blocks

      Base Ten Blocks are a great way for students to learn about place value in a spatial way. The units represent ones, rods represent tens, flats represent hundreds, and the cube represents thousands. Their relationship in size makes them a valuable part of the exploration in number concepts. Students are able to physically represent place value in the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Pattern blocks

        Pattern blocks consist of various wooden shapes (green triangles, red trapezoids, yellow hexagons, orange squares, tan (long) rhombi, and blue (wide) rhombi) that are sized in such a way that students will be able to see relationships among shapes. For example, three green triangles make a red trapezoid; two red trapezoids make up a yellow hexagon; a blue rhombus is made up of two green triangles; three blue rhombi make a yellow hexagon, etc. Playing with the shapes in these ways help children develop a

Spatial understanding of how shapes are composed and decomposed, an essential understanding in early geometry.

       Pattern blocks are also used by teachers as a means for students to identify, extend, and create patterns. A teacher may ask students to identify the following pattern (by either color or shape): hexagon, triangle, triangle, hexagon, triangle, triangle, and hexagon. Students can then discuss “what comes next” and continue the pattern by physically moving pattern blocks to extend it. It is important for young children to create patterns using concrete materials like the pattern blocks.

       Pattern blocks can also serve to provide students with an understanding of fractions. Because pattern blocks are sized to fit to each other (for instance, six triangles make up a hexagon), they provide a concrete experiences with halves, thirds, and sixths.

       Adults tend to use pattern blocks to create geometric works of art such as mosaics. There are over 100 different pictures that can be made from pattern blocks. These include cars, trains, boats, rockets, flowers, animals, insects, birds, people, household objects, etc. The advantage of pattern block art is that it can be changed around, added, or turned into something else. All six of the shapes (green triangles, blue (thick) rhombi, red trapezoids, yellow hexagons, orange squares, and tan (thin) rhombi) are applied to make mosaics.

 

INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARD

          An interactive whiteboard is an instructional tool that allows computer images to be displayed onto a board using a digital projector. The instructor can then manipulate the elements on the board by using his finger as a mouse, directly on the screen. Items can be dragged, clicked and copied and the lecturer can handwrite notes, which can be transformed into text and saved.

            They are a powerful tool in the classroom adding interactivity and collaboration, allowing the integration of media content into the lecture and supporting collaborative learning. Used innovatively they create a wide range of learning opportunities. However, in many environments they are not being used to their full potential, and in many cases acting as glorified blackboards. 

             This type of whiteboard is now commonplace in schools in the UK, but universities have been slower to adopt this technology. They were originally developed for use in business to demonstrate concepts and record meetings. However, they are an extremely flexible tool which can be used with both the youngest primary school children and university graduates.

           An interactive whiteboard can be a cost saver as this technology demonstrates how one computer can provide learning stimuli for a whole classroom. This is more cost effective than equipping an entire IT room, or every student with a laptop.

Examples of the features available when using an interactive whiteboard:
• Add annotations
• Highlight text
• Add notes and drawings and then save them to be printed out and shared, or added to a virtual learning environment.
• Show pictures and educational videos to the whole lecture theatre. You can label parts or highlight elements of an image.
• Demonstrate the content available on a website in a teacher-directed activity

Interactive whiteboards as a pedagogical tool

This type of tool promotes creative teaching and motivates students into absorbing information.

Teaching with an interactive whiteboard allows lecturers to accommodate all different learning styles:
• Tactile learners get to touch and move things around the board. They can also make notes and highlight elements.
• Visual learners benefit from a clear view of what is happening on the board.
• Audio learners can participate in a class discussion.

Interactive teaching
      The teacher can call upon the students to interact with the whiteboard themselves. The lecturer can sit at the computer, with the student at the whiteboard, and the class offering suggestions and contributing ideas.

Group interaction
        Interactive whiteboards promote group discussion and participation. They are an effective tool for brainstorming as notes made on the screen can be turned into text, and saved to be shared and distributed later. They are an ideal tool for small group work and collaborative learning, as students can huddle around the board developing ideas, and then save the work for sharing over a network or by email.

        An interactive whiteboard (IWB) is a large interactive display in the form factor of a whiteboard. It can either be a standalone touchscreen computer used independently to perform tasks and operations, or a connectable apparatus used as a touchpad to control computers from a projector. They are used in a variety of settings, including classrooms at all levels of education, in corporate board rooms and work groups, in training rooms for professional sports coaching, in broadcasting studios, and others.

Classroom applications for using interactive whiteboards include:

• Multimedia lessons and presentations including audio and video
• Collaborative problem solving
• Showcasing student projects and presentations
• Virtual field trips
• Recorded lessons that can be used by substitute teachers
• Documentation of student achievement

Classroom uses

1.       In some classrooms, interactive whiteboards have replaced traditional whiteboards or flipcharts, or video/media systems such as a DVD player and TV combination. Even where traditional boards are used, the IWB often supplements them by connecting to a school network digital video distribution system. In other cases, IWBs interact with online shared annotation and drawing environments such as interactive vector based graphical websites.

2.       Brief instructional blocks can be recorded for review by students — they will see the exact presentation that occurred in the classroom with the teacher's audio input. This can help transform learning and instruction.

3.       Many companies and projects now focus on creating supplemental instructional materials specifically designed for interactive whiteboards. Electro kite out of Boston, MA, for example, will have the first complete curriculum for schools and districts.

4.       One recent use of the IWB is in shared reading lessons. Mimic books, for instance, allow teachers to project children's books onto the interactive whiteboard with book-like interactivity.

Interactive Whiteboard Success Tips

      Whether you’ve been using an interactive whiteboard (IWB) for years, or you’ve never turned yours on, ramp up your students’ learning with these easy-to-learn (and teach!) strategies.

1.       Hold That Thought
      Use a fresh whiteboard page as a blank canvas. Whether your class brainstorms a list of words that begin with the letter a, a list of endangered animals to research, or the implications of a constitutional amendment, preserve those ideas by using the IWB capture tool to save the entire page or a section of the page. Save the ink layer, then capture a screenshot that you can either print, save or post on your class website.

2.       Capture the Moment
     Go beyond capturing a single page when you put your whiteboard’s screen recording tools to work. Record the sequence of IWB pages used in your lesson, including audio. You can experiment with free online screen recording tools such as Jing, Screencast-o-Matic, Snipping Tool for Windows or Sketch for Mac users. Students can even capture what they’re doing on their own screens, then you can create and embed a video of their work into your IWB lesson. For a biography unit, students might work individually or in small groups to create digital posters highlighting their subjects’ achievements. Gather their work into a video to use in another lesson, on your class or school’s website or to share at a special parent night.

3.       Ready-Made Lesson Plans
      Interactive whiteboard manufacturers provide online resources and ready-made lesson plans for teachers by teachers. (Check out the SMART Exchange, for example, or Promethean Planet.) Need lessons that meet STEM or Common Core standards? They’ve got them. Or you can peruse their lesson banks by state standard, subject or skill to match the needs of your students.

4.       Try a Template
     Use one of the many ready-made templates to fit your objectives. Graphics, sounds and special effects are ready to go; all you need to do is plug in math fact families, poetic figurative language or test review questions for a rousing round of classroom Jeopardy. You’ll also find classroom management templates for tasks like taking roll and recognizing positive behavior. Pay it forward by sharing your own templates at the teacher hub on your IWB manufacturer’s site.

5.       Learning Styles
Perhaps the biggest advantage interactive whiteboards offer is the ability for your students to interact with the subject matter and manipulate objects right on the whiteboard. Kids are naturally drawn to technology, and they’re highly motivated by the idea of using an IWB. Research shows that kids learn best when lessons cater to a variety of learning styles. IWB lessons that get kids up and out of their seats appeal to kinesthetic learners. Emerging writers can turn their fingers into virtual pens and practice writing words in colors and patterns, or older students can draw arrows and label the parts of a chemical compound. With sound recording tools and imbedded sound-effect files, auditory learners benefit, too. But you don’t have to choose one learning style over another; combine a variety into the same lesson. Kids can draw a queen bee, label the body parts, add animation and add a buzzing sound as their bee “flies” across the screen.

6.       In the Spotlight
       On a regular white board, you can write notes and draw diagrams to make your point. With your IWB, take it a step further with tools that help you hone in on important elements in your lesson. Shine the spotlight tool on a capital city on the map, slide the screen shade line-by-line to reveal text as you read, or highlight helping verbs with your finger. You can also create boxes that hide text and images to reveal later in your lesson. Sections of the board can be magnified to draw attention to specific elements of your lesson such as graphs, key words or images.

7.       Enhancing Video
       Take video clips that you’re already using and let students use interactive whiteboard tools to solidify their learning. Pause a stop-motion video of a growing flower and label the parts of the flower as they emerge. Capture each page with labels to create a virtual or printed class book. Or pause a clip of the Nixon-Kennedy debate after a provocative sound bite from one of the candidates, and let students draw a thought bubble to illustrate what the other candidate might be thinking of his opponent’s last comment. Check out Learn360, United Streaming and Teacher Tube for educational video clips that can enhance your lessons.

8.       Cast a Web
        Imbed Web links into your lessons to bring academic concepts to life. If you’re teaching research skills, include a link to one of the online databases that kids will be using. If your students are learning about George Washington, link an image or block of text to an online virtual tour of Mount Vernon, Washington’s home. Before introducing students to “The Diary of Anne Frank,” link to a virtual tour of the home that was her hiding place during the time that she wrote her diary.

9.       Distance Learning
      With a wireless pad and pen, you can now control your interactive whiteboard from anywhere in the classroom, so there’s no need to turn your back on the class as you teach. You can download an app like Tether to turn your iPad into a remote controller for your IWB. Students can draw or write on iPads with IWB tools using apps such as Ink2go or one from your IWB manufacturer. Let you students use these tools to demonstrate understanding of math problems, label parts of a simple machine or ask a question for you or their classmates to answer.

10.   Random Generator
      Mix things up with one of the many random generator tools on your IWB. Instead of always calling on students who raise their hands, make sure everyone has a voice. Enter students’ names ahead of time in a random name generator, then choose students as their names come up. You can also use this tool to assign groups randomly for quick activities. Use two generators simultaneously to assign classroom jobs—one with students’ names, and the other with job titles. Subject-area content can also be used to generate random numbers, words, musical notes, etc. Play “Whose Words?” when students touch the generator to reveal quotes from characters in fiction, or race to come up with as many ways to create a number sentence for a given number.

11.   It’s a Match
       Easily create matching and sorting activities with words, images or both. Gauge students’ background knowledge on a topic by letting them explore quotes from famous speeches and matching them to their sources. Check understanding during a lesson or a small group activity by having students sort prime and composite numbers into a T-chart. Gather formative assessment data by asking students to match the causes of the American Revolution with their immediate and long-term effects.

12.   Cloning
      Not only can students manipulate objects on the IWB, but the objects can be cloned to use again and again. Set up different shapes at the bottom of the screen that you can “infinitely clone,” which will lock them into place so that they can’t be moved. Students can then touch a shape and drag, which pulls the identical shape to another part of the board, while the original stays put for use elsewhere in the pattern. Turn this same concept into a bar graph or pictograph. Infinitely clone a circle, square or even individual headshots of the students and have them move one onto a graph to show a favorite activity, birthday month or results of a mock political election. For foreign language classes, set up and infinitely clone text boxes with definite articles and let students drag these next to the appropriate nouns.

13.   Back to Class
        Interactive whiteboard sites often post webinars or online self-paced training to help you get the most out of this new technology (check out the options at SMART and Promethean). Use your newfound knowledge to spread the wealth of knowledge in your school or district, and beyond.

Advantages of Using Interactive Whiteboards

Here are 3 key advantages of using interactive whiteboards in a classroom setting:

1. Improved Learning

        While some students are auditory learners, absorbing information efficiently through the spoken word, others are visual learners. Interactive whiteboards give people the opportunity to absorb information in multiple formats. This helps increase retention and synthesis of information.

2. Increased Participation

      Interactive whiteboard images can be saved and printed, so students do not have to take notes during the discussion. This allows them to participate in the learning or collaborative session at a more focused, engaged level.

3. Enhanced Collaboration

       By integrating an interactive whiteboard into your learning or office environment, you can encourage participants to collaborate in a shared work area. This allows students to become part of the process, rather than simply recipients of prepared information

Primarily, interactive whiteboards allow teachers and students to give presentations created on a computer in class and at parent/teacher/student conferences.

        Teachers can create videos to teach students different types of software in class or online. Presenters can take notes directly into PowerPoint presentations, and students can learn keyboarding from whiteboard demonstrations. Instructors can show students how to use the Internet and get information from interactive web sites.

          We can also help you integrate Interactive Whiteboards with your existing Videoconferencing systems, contact us for more information.

Advantages of Interactive Whiteboards:

·                     Clear graphics

·                     Interactivity for teachers and students

·                     Projection of computer images on a larger screen for audience viewing

·                     Manipulation of computer functions while standing (rather than from the computer)

·                     Incorporation of video and images into traditional teaching lessons
Disadvantages of Interactive Whiteboards: 

·                     Expensive

·                     Require specific software

·                     Require extra training for teachers

·                     Touch sensitive board has limitations; sometimes is not sensitive enough

·                     Speakers are not loud enough sometimes

SMART BOARD

          The Smart Board is an interactive whiteboard that uses touch detection for user input (for example scrolling and right mouse-click) in the same way as normal PC input devices. The Smart Board 800 series interactive whiteboard introduced a 'flick and scroll' feature.

        The Smart Board (stylized as "SMART Board") is a line of interactive whiteboards produced by the Calgary, Alberta-based company Smart Technologies.

       The Smart Board is an interactive whiteboard that uses touch detection for user input (for example scrolling and right mouse-click) in the same way as normal PC input devices. The Smart Board 800 series interactive whiteboard introduced a 'flick and scroll' feature.

        The Smart Board interactive whiteboard operates as part of a system that includes the interactive whiteboard, a computer, a projector and white boarding software - either Smart Notebook collaborative learning software for education, or Smart Meeting Pro software for business. The components are connected wirelessly or via USB or serial cables. A projector connected to the computer displays the desktop image on the interactive whiteboard. The whiteboard accepts touch input from a finger, pen or other solid object. Smart Board interactive whiteboards are also available as a front-projection flat-panel display – interactive surfaces that fit over plasma or LCD display panels.

        A number of teachers may not be aware of the benefits of using a Smart Board in the classroom as a teaching tool. While the traditional white board already has everyone’s attention, the electronic device is a new technology that is slowly gaining popularity due to its interactive power.

        The digital screen allows images from the computer to be displayed on a board7. It can also be modified on the screen itself, using a pen or a highlighting tool. Its touch screen feature allows teachers to run programs directly from the screen simply by tapping the application with her finger and even makes scrolling easy.

Smart Boards are becoming an essential component of every classroom. Some reasons for this trend is that:

§  It can accommodate different learning styles. Tactical learners can use the screen and learn by touching and marking at the board, audio learners can have a discussion and visual learners can observe the teaching on the board.8

§  It is neater and does not have the cleanliness hassle and is therefore easier to maintain.

Most teachers understand the “why” but struggle with the “how”. Here are some ideas on how you can use Smart Boards.

§  Use it as a tool for note-taking. Students can come and write important points on the board. Alternately, you can appoint a student to type out notes on the computer while you talk, so that the other students can view and take them down.

§  Brainstorming in the classroom can be fun with a Smart Board. You can not only put together text/ ideas but also images, diagrams or videos.

§  Classroom games can be played with ease on the board. Board games in particular can be played on the board itself.

§  All forms of media– videos, photographs, graphs, maps, illustrations, games, etc. – can be used on the board, making it incredibly dynamic in nature. This expands the range of content that you can use for teaching or presenting new information.2

A lot of new software is available for free on the internet that can be easily integrated. There are many forums and websites that aim to help teachers by providing Smart Board ideas and activities. Explore these for more ideas.

The Smart Board is tomorrow’s technology and is bound to change the look of classrooms forever. Using smart boards in your classroom can help you stay ahead with technology that could make the education process simpler and perhaps even more productive.

THE ADVANTAGES OF SMART BOARDS IN THE CLASSROOM

          SMART boards put simply, are a sophisticated replacement of the traditional overhead projector. Over the years, this cutting-edge technology has proved popular for students of all ages. The interactive board turns a typical classroom into a fun learning environment. It enriches classrooms in several ways by providing hands on collaboration and creating the perfect learning setting.

There are several advantages of bringing in a SMART interactive whiteboard into a classroom setting. Here are the top 8 advantages of this state-of-the-art technology in the education industry.

The Top 8 Reasons why SMART Boards are an essential component in the modern day classroom:

1. Provides Flexibility: Interactive whiteboards allow many different forms of media – including photos, illustrations, maps, graphs, games, and video, to be displayed. These tools not only enrich the classroom experience but also help to expand the nature of content that can be used in learning. In addition, SMART Boards makes learning to be more dynamic owing to the different forms of presenting information.

2. Enhanced teaching/learning experience: SMART Boards provide new ways for teachers to teach, and student to learn. These tools support a wide variety of learning styles. For instance, visual learners can watch as their tutors use the whiteboards to project visual elements, whereas audio learners can listen. and have discussions on the other hand, the Boards come with touchscreen capabilities that allow tactile learners to touch and interact with the board.

3. Interact and share: The interactive nature of SMART boards offers learners an opportunity to share and participate in the instructional process. Interactivity provides a platform for students to demonstrate their grasp of the subject through touching, drawing, and writing. Every learner has an opportunity to participate or contribute to the presentation and/or discussion via notebooks and tablets. In addition, the boards provide for rapid assessment whereby learners can receive immediate feedback. Teachers and students are able to identify individual strengths and weaknesses in various subject areas and isolate areas/topics that need more focus or review.

4. Low-Maintenance: SMART Boards are neat and easy to use. There are no hassles cleaning or maintaining whiteboards. The data on the screen can be modified using a specialized highlighting tool or pen. There is no need for using unhygienic chalk or marker pens.

5. Access to online information & tools: SMART boards allow learners to easily access a rich database of online resources. Teachers can use the wide variety of online information sources such as knowledge databases, online video and news items to reinforce their lessons. Learners can also quickly access the wide range of powerful tools and resources to conduct research and supplement their usual study material.

6. Going Green: Interactive boards are also environmentally friendly. They offer teachers an entirely different way of presenting information to students, which eliminates the need for writing, printing or photocopying. Which, contribute to eliminate waste and pollution, from over-utilization of paper and ink.

7. Technology Integration: SMART boards allows for integration of various technologies in order to improve the learning experience. For instance, it is possible to attach tools such as microscopes, document cameras, cameras or video cameras to a whiteboard to aid in instruction. It is also possible to integrate the interactive learning tools with a wide range of software applications.

8. Communication: Interactive whiteboards allow for connectivity in different locations; making ideal collaboration and distance learning environments. When using SMART boards, student show to increase student-to-student collaboration and increase overall participation in the lesson.