researchers conclude interactive whiteboards produce significant results
Study quantifies impact of interactive whiteboards on student achievement
SMART Technologies Inc, has announced that an important, long-term study, commissioned by the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta), has concluded that interactive whiteboards have a positive impact on primary school students in math, science and English. The results showed that many students progressed more quickly if they consistently used interactive whiteboards for an extended period of time. For example, over two years, math students in grades three–six made additional gains of 2.5 to 5 months’ progress. Teachers’ use of interactive whiteboards was also evaluated, and researchers noted that over time, teaching practices evolved to make the most of the interactive whiteboard’s features.
Researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, who authored the report, “Evaluation of Primary Schools Whiteboard Expansion Project,” analysed the results from the former UK Department for Education and Skills’ (DfES) Primary Schools Whiteboard Expansion project. The report examines the progress of 7,272 students in 332 classrooms. Researchers also measured how the length of exposure to interactive whiteboards affected students’ progress in English, math and science, and any additional impact the interactive whiteboards had on special needs students, teacher preparations and the overall atmosphere in the classroom.
“Research from many countries around the world consistently shows that the use of interactive whiteboards has a positive impact on both teaching and learning,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “This latest study from Becta emphasizes that consistent and long-term use of interactive whiteboards is a key to ensuring improved student achievement.”
Some of the key findings from the research include the following:
• In sixth-grade science, most students made greater progress with two years’ exposure to interactive whiteboards. Some students made as much as 7.5 months’ additional progress
• In sixth-grade writing, some students made 2.5 months’ additional progress with two years’ exposure to interactive whiteboards
• Teachers reported that using interactive whiteboards positively impacted lesson preparation time, student assessment and student learning outcomes.
Sixty-three percent of the interactive whiteboards in the study were SMART Board interactive whiteboards. The report did not suggest that the brand of interactive whiteboard had any bearing on the results.
“The results of this research are certainly encouraging for other markets such as the Middle East, where we are seeing a steady increase in the adoption of interactive whiteboards in the classroom,” said Maher Husseini, Director, Intmark Distribution, SMART’s authorised distributor for the Middle East.
Other research and anecdotal reports from around the world have publicised the advantages of using interactive whiteboards, such as enhanced student engagement, better student motivation, fewer behavioral challenges in class, enhanced review capabilities, addressing multiple learning styles and better teacher productivity. This latest report covers many of these points and more.
