Going Back To the WhiteBoard: Bringing Inspiring Ideas to Classroom

Despite all the technological advancements, our classrooms still haven’t transformed into "smart classrooms". However, with the recent advent of Digital India much of this is going to change, according to the trade pundits. Unfortunately even the most vital arm of our nation’s economy - education suffers from the same infrastructural inefficiencies. In the recent times, the coming of smartboards and interactive technologies have completely redefined the whole system of pedagogy - as we know it.

Today, we really need to take inspiration from US where proficiency in interactive whiteboard teaching is a necessary professional development. Even professional curriculum developer Ben Stern urges teachers to move beyond the normal use of the board for simple exercises like hangman or matching, and take education a step forward.

Here, we tell you about a number of ways to turn the whole curriculum upside down. So whether you are a tech enthusiast or someone who is not so tech-savvy, we hope something or the other will ignite that fire!

Google Earth

No it will not be just the "go-to-software" for teaching geography but it will be every teacher’s favourite. Explore the globe or know about rare ecosystems in every region, or discuss global cultures and their impact on civilizations, learn more about languages, architectural designs or sports - everything from the past to the foreseeable future.

Team Competitions

It’s a proven fact that promoting competitive spirit amongst young students is an important success lesson for the formative years. Technologies like Kinect and Wii have quite some amazing features that bind both learning and fun with a physically responsive simulation.

After all, doesn’t learning science stress on the need of "moving and learning".

Basic Image, Sound and Video Editing

There are a huge variety of softwares available in the market - like Google+’s Photos Editor - that can be quite helpful in learning basic techniques like editing, resizing and enhancing. And this would not be just limited to classes like arts, theatre and music, but also in others as well. Isn’t the goal making everything text intensive easier to understand? And who wouldn’t find a class of skillful, digitally resourceful, creative students an absolute novelty?

Be the Spell Bee

Regular or periodic organization of such competitions can really help students memorize and give them confidence that further boosts their skills in other fields.

A Virtual Tour, Maybe?

Every other major place in the world today offers online virtual tour with high academic value. And what’s better is that many of these are interactive as well - making it much more interesting and engaging for the students. So now one can have a field trip without actually going on a trip!

Record Students

With some basic additions like camera and sound system, you may also record the sessions for future critique and improvement focused sessions.

Collaborate

Whiteboards also allow easy access and interaction amongst students and the teacher. And that does not just keep the session engaging and fun but also enables real-time feedback system.

Other smart class technologies that can add life to you everyday sessions are - color laser printers and mobile projectors etc.

About the Author:

Arem Mukim, Manager - Corporate Communications & Digital, Ricoh India Limited

With several years of experience in Corporate Communications, Ms. Mukim has extensive knowledge in the field of brand image, digital PR, media relation, and marketing campaigns. Ricoh India, where she is working currently, is a market leader in its key categories and offers a wide variety of products and solutions, which include Office Printers, DSLR cameras, compact colour laser printer, LCD projectors, laser printer in india, multifunction laser printer, binoculars, colour laser printers, short throw projectors, digital duplicators, wide format printer, ultra short throw projectors, production printers, projection systems, video conferencing solutions and related software technologies.

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Ricoh India is a market leader,offers which include Office Printers, Projection systems, Video conferencing solutions and related software technologies.