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Interactive Whiteboard - Interactive whiteboard (TTA)

From technology to professional development: How can the use of an interactive whiteboard in initial teacher training change the nature of teaching and learning in secondary mathematics and modern foreign languages?

Dave Miller, Derek Glover, Doug Averis and Victoria Door (September 2003 - December 2004)

Project Aims and Rationale

The broad aim of this research is to studying how experienced ITT tutors use interactive whiteboards themselves and train their trainees how to use them in the classroom in order that we might inform the wider ITT community. The initial focus of the research will be secondary mathematics and secondary modern foreign languages.

Our key research questions are therefore:

How do training partnerships in secondary mathematics and modern foreign languages train trainees to use interactive whiteboards?

and

What are the major elements of the trainees' experience that lead them to become effective users of interactive whiteboards?

In undertaking this work, we believe that we may enhance the professional development opportunities for those with whom we enter into partnership. Furthermore, we believe that the results of the work have the potential to be of considerable interest to others in ITT.

Design and Methods

Our research methodology involves:

  1. identifying initial teacher trainers who are currently using interactive whiteboards
  2. undertaking documentary analysis of the courses taught by these trainers looking in particular at 'formal' and 'informal' training in the use of interactive whiteboards
  3. video recording typical training sessions where the interactive whiteboard is used, or training in its use is being given
  4. using questionnaires to tutors and trainees
  5. interviewing and video recording a small number of trainees
  6. appropriate' analysis
  7. producing a pack of training and exemplar materials for dissemination
  8. providing a report for tutors

Sample size, number of trainees, tutors and institutions

The sample size is constrained by the limited number of institutions offering appropriate training in the use of interactive whiteboards and the limited finance available. We have designed a short web based questionnaire for tutors which takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. This has been sent out by email to all mathematics and MFL tutors that we know of at ITT institutions.

We will be filming (with video) sessions at up to 10 institutions and following through with short questionnaires and a limited number of interviews and observations of trainees teaching, At present we believe this is likely to mean up 20 ITT tutors (but more likely to be close to 10). In terms of questionnaires we can only average figures out based on estimates of numbers, but we would not expect more than 500 trainees to be involved in a brief questionnaire. We would not expect to film more than 20 trainees teaching this year.

Filming effective practice

The budget linked to this element means that we do not expect the quality of any video will not be suitable for purposes other than our data collection. At all stages we are looking also to film what happens in the institution and later on in the classroom. To minimise disruption, we will not be asking trainers or trainees to make special arrangement (such as reducing class numbers).

Dissemination

Materials and reports will be provided for the TTA and to those actively involved in the research. In addition information will be sent through appropriate lists to relevant institutions involved in the training of secondary mathematics and modern foreign languages teachers. We also intend to inform the training schools network through our involvement with our local training school. We expect journal articles to follow as well.

See also

PGCE trainees use of interactive whiteboards (Keele University) The use of interactive whiteboards in secondary school initial teacher training (reporting in autumn term 2004). Dave Miller, Derek Glover, Doug Averis and Victoria Door (September 2001 - August 2005)

Publications

MILLER, D.J, GLOVER, D & AVERIS, D. (2003) Exposure - the introduction of interactive whiteboard technology to secondary school mathematics teachers in training, CERME 3: Third Conference of the European Society for Research in Mathematics Education, Bellaria, Italy (refereed paper).

For further information contact Dave Miller

Email: d.j.miller@educ.keele.ac.uk
Tel: 01782 733124
Fax: 01782 734428
Address:   Education, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG