The 21st century is known as the Information Age or Digital Age for the rapid development of technologies available for the general public. According to the National Center for Education Statistics in 2015, 94% of children age 3 to 18 had at least one computer at home and 61% of them with internet access; in addition, about 88% of secondary students reported they used computers for schoolwork (Kewal Ramani, 2018).
It leads to various studies regarding the implementing of technologies in classroom. Cambridge Assessment International Education’s survey shows approximately 75% of US students use computers and 60% of them use Interactive Whiteboard in the classroom (Assessment, 2018).
Although there are few theories and studies that believe in negative effects on student learning when using technologies in the classroom, it is mostly considered positive impact immeasurably for students. Collaborating Interactive Whiteboard in a high school math classroom is making learning accessible and increasing student engagement and motivation.
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Interactive Whiteboard promoting learning accessibility. Interactive Whiteboard a presentation device that can be integrated with various technologies such as computers, projectors, and different software. Interactive Whiteboard is considered as an ”assistive technology”; it means it can ”customize and improve the functional capacities” (Basilicato, 2005).
Interactive Whiteboard can accommodate different learning styles such as visual, audio, kinesthetic, logical…etc. According to the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario, Interactive Whiteboard can provide variety of accommodations for students who has Individual Education Plan or Learning Disability by using different software such as voice-to-text software, text-to-speech software, screen reading software, braille translator, and other accessibility apps (Perras, 2016).
Interactive Whiteboard can help to deliver teaching material to every student in every classroom including a math class requires various demonstrations. Interactive Whiteboard increases student engagement and motivation in high school math class.
The Office for Standards in Education found contributors for student high achievement in math includes “teachers who are both competent and confident in the use of Interactive Whiteboard technology look initially at the presentation of material but then change as they move from offering purely static visual support to the use of kinesthetic affordances with enhanced student participation” (Schmid, 2010).
Moreover, Interactive Whiteboard has many elements to increase pedagogy between teacher and students on math learning. Interactive Whiteboard can used for visual representation of mathematical concepts and interactive demonstration practices to enhance students’ critical thinking skills and to promote self-efficiency on learning.
It also can be integrated with activities like games to encourage students to think and try to solve problems while approaching solutions. When students engage with the learning material and teaching style, they feel more confident about math. As students are more comfortable and confident towards math, they develop the motivation to learn.
In sum, implementing Interactive Whiteboard in a high school math classroom provides a more inclusive learning environment and increases student engagement and motivation levels. Collaborating technology in the classroom is a controversial topic for the past decade, and it is important to understand our age is one that is pioneering the use of sophisticated technologies that previously were not available for many of us. Those technologies provide opportunities for students to maximize their learning experience and practice its proficiency outside the classroom. That is, technology in the classroom is positive and effective in today’s education.
