2011/7/1 jtd@mtnl.net.in:
A simple projector and computer becomes the original problem - that teachers then will have to create presentations. An IWB combines a lot of things: a regular blackboard with the capability to remember, a vast library including wikipedia, an arts room and so on.
The problem is that the above does not change the power structure - teacher handing down gyan. Learning is about
- Putting the kids in charge
- Converting ALL content to a local context.
It does, actually (I put the qualifier "properly used"). The class I attended had the kids learning about seasons. The teacher simply got out of the way of children and allowed them to explore seasons using the IWB. One kid tried to visualize how the winter in US is. Another wanted to see what season it is in Bangalore then (her dad had left for Bangalore that morning, apparently). And so on. The teacher was guiding, but not controlling or manipulating the class. It was a fantastic experience for me too.
This was South City School, Kolkata and Class II - meaning kids in the 6-7 years group.
Binand