Interactive
Whiteboards
By: Sara Synder
During the spring of 2017, a research study was conducted that measured the effects of interactive white boards (IWB) during literacy instruction on a fifth grade student with special needs. During this study, a single subject design was utilized. This study focused and measured literacy achievement and engagement skills for a student with a cognitive disability with and without the instruction of an IWB. In order to collect baseline data for the student’s literacy skills, the student had to match the given sight words to corresponding pictures. Results were documented on a performance checklist. The student was then instructed on sight words utilizing and not utilizing the IWB and later given a post test on each. Test scores were then compared using a T-chart. Results indicated positive effects on the student’s sight word recognition when utilizing the IWB compared to not using it.
The student was also observed during literacy instruction with and without an IWB to measure his engagement skills.
In order to measure the effects of IWB instruction on student engagement levels, the student was observed by a teacher’s aide during a thirty minute lesson with and without the use of the IWB. The teacher’s aide used a researcher made tally sheet to document the off task behaviors during instruction with and without the IWB. After results were reviewed, there was a more positive correlation between utilizing the IWB and student engagement skills compared to not using the IWB during instruction. The student’s off task behaviors diminished by almost half when the IWB was utilized for instruction compared to using traditional materials.
The research conducted on this topic allows one to have a better understanding of the possible correlations between literacy achievement and student engagement while utilizing IWBs in classrooms. This case study found a strong increase on engagement skills and literacy achievement. Research on this topic is still in its infancy stages. Additional research will need to be conducted in order to have a better understanding on the IWB’s full potential on students of all ages and abilities.
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