Q. My school just bought an interactive whiteboard. Can Scoilnet point us in the direction of some resources that may help show how they can be used effectively in class?

A. Interactive whiteboards are becoming increasingly popular. However like any form of ICT they will only enhance the learning experience if they are used imaginatively. Here are a few links that might point you in the right direction.

Interactive Whiteboards (NCTE)
PDF advice sheet exploring - What is an interactive whiteboard; Possible educational uses; Technical considerations; and Purchasing considerations.

Drumcondra - Interactive Whiteboards
Part of a project set up to investigate the effectiveness or otherwise of whiteboards in a classroom. Really useful resource for teachers and school management. The site contains numerous links to advice sheets and other support resources.

Interactive Whiteboards & Primary ICT
Short article from Becta (The UK's equivilant to the NCTE in Ireland).

 Your Views - If you have something to add to this answer do please contact us

Sandra contacted us with the following suggestion:

We have 12 interactive boards in the school and find the Promethean website a very useful resource for downloading subject material. Most of the english sites that you can access from bbc.co.uk/education have interactive portals on their sites buy you need to check them out first and add them to your 'favourites' links or you'll waste time accessing them in class.

Kathryn mailed us with the following suggestions:

I just saw the question about resources for whiteboards, my school uses An Mala Mor and in it is a CD ROM in Irish from inants to second class which works great on the interactive white boards. It's a great tool for learning Irish! http://www.malamor.ie/