3 Easy Ways to Use Interactive Whiteboards in Preschool Classrooms

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To all new preschool teachers, I hope this article brings you joy, motivation, and encouragement as you work to create warm, inspiring environments for your students to learn and grow with the use of technology in the classroom. As a preschool teacher with five years of experience at Emerson Elementary School, I understand the challenges new educators face. I'm excited to share my knowledge about incorporating technology into the classroom and hope it gives you the support and inspiration you need.

When preschoolers walk into the classroom, the first thing they notice is the “big TV,” which is an interactive whiteboard. They quickly recognize that it is a touch screen and are eager to interact with it and explore its functions. At this age, preschoolers are curious, adventurous, and active, always looking for ways to engage their bodies and minds. As educators, we are lucky to have access to amazing technology, such as interactive whiteboards, that help transform the classroom into an engaging, focused and playful environment where everyone can learn through this technological device.

To provide more details, I have outlined three easy ways to use interactive whiteboards in preschool classrooms.

1. Morning meeting: My main tool for our morning meetings is the interactive whiteboard. It allows me to share my morning message, where each student comes to the board to write their name, circle the letter of the day, and participate in drawing and coloring activities. These are just some basic ideas on how to use the interactive whiteboard. Additionally, using interactive whiteboards can help students work together and practice social skills. Researchers have observed greater collaboration among preschool children when using interactive whiteboards (IWBs) compared to traditional desktop computers (McManis, 2012, p. 15). Incorporating technology into your morning meetings can be easy; You don't need to be a tech expert. Just think of the interactive whiteboard as a substitute for the traditional whiteboard. I hope this encourages you to use the interactive whiteboard in your classroom and inspires you to think of creative ways for your students to interact with it.

2. Transition pause: Transitions can be difficult for preschool students when moving from one activity to another. The smart board has been very useful to me in my class. I use the timers for transitions, cleanup time and breaks. During breaks, I play movement songs or exercise videos so students can release some energy. This method is especially useful for students with anxiety because it allows them to know how many minutes are left before the next activity. For students who need to get rid of their wiggles and need a brain break by incorporating physical movement to get their bodies moving. Therefore, “teachers can help students meet physical activity recommendations by incorporating movement breaks into the classroom” (Get the Facts: Classroom Movement Interruptions Grades K-52023). The use of the interactive whiteboard has facilitated transitions and reduced chaos and stress in the classroom. This simple strategy improves the transition process and I believe you will find it very helpful in managing your classroom effectively.

3. Read aloud: In preschool classrooms, read aloud sessions play a vital role in daily learning. These activities help students develop their language skills, build vocabulary, improve listening comprehension, and foster a love of stories. To support these skills, we need engaging tools that make learning to read enjoyable. For the past five years, I have used an interactive whiteboard to enhance my read aloud sessions. Create a creative and imaginative environment where students can highlight text, look up vocabulary words, and deepen their understanding of stories. “When students listen to audiobooks or watch audio media, they can gain experience with different cultures, dialects, and beliefs” (Parmeter, p.24). This method is simple and easy to use, making it easy for any teacher to incorporate it into their daily routine. Using the interactive whiteboard not only makes read aloud sessions more enjoyable, but also helps students cultivate a passion for reading.

As a new preschool teacher, it can be overwhelming at times. I hope you found these interactive whiteboard strategies useful and see them as a supportive tool in your teaching. As you become more familiar with using the interactive whiteboard, you will find that teaching becomes easier and classroom management improves. I hope this helps reduce your stress and shows that technology can be a practical resource in your classroom.

References:

Get the Facts: Classroom Movement Interruptions Grades K-5. (2023, March 21). Prevention Research Center in Nutrition and Physical Activity. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/prc/priority-areas/physical-activity/movement-breaks-fact-sheet/

Helean, T. and Eastern Washington University. (2023, March 21). Transition Timers. Classroom Management Toolkit. https://inside.ewu.edu/managementtoolbox/transition-timers/

McManis, L., & Gunnewig, S. (2012). Finding educational technology education for early education students. technology and young children. https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=1be1d42ffc83f56f72fdbd205952100922d328b2

Parameter, C. (2012). Participation in student learning with SMART Boards in the reading workshop. Fisher Digital Publications. https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1234&context=education_ETD_masters

Why early childhood educators love teaching with Samsung Flip 2. (2019, March 5). Samsung Business USA https://insights.samsung.com/2019/03/05/why-early-childhood-educators-love-teaching-with-samsung-flip/#:~:text=The%20Flip%20is%20a%20smart, can%20divert%20from%20to%20lesson.