Interactive whiteboard sessions for UEA students

As a training school, we regularly train student teachers from different ITT providers. We offer placements for student teachers as well as training sessions to groups of trainees. Claire Brayne, English mentor, explains her recent involvement with UEA English PGCE students.

Earlier this term Room 51 at Aylsham High School saw classes of 12 adults in both the morning and the afternoon. I was hosting the English PGCE (M) trainees for the day. John Gordon, the English course tutor had asked me to share my interactive whiteboard knowledge and experience with trainees prior to their second school placement.

In reality this involved the group splitting into two and even then the time for "hands on" experience on an individual level was limited.

We started by looking at what I use the interactive whiteboard for in English lessons at AHS. So, we covered use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Starboard software, Daydream software and the internet. There was much discussion about the appropriateness and stimulation of the board and when it is relevant and how it compares to the home entertainment pupils now have. The general consensus is that pupils will quite often know more about the systems than we do and using this knowledge is strength can often enhance the learning of all concerned. We explored the use of the new Bluetooth key board and mouse, which can be used from anywhere in the classroom, and the tablet used to annotate and write on the screen from the classroom area. Both these devices have proved truly liberating to me as a teacher and I strongly recommend their use by English teachers the length and breadth of the land!

After two such sessions we concluded the day with a debate about the use of video and stills to annotate and were frustrated to find that the annotation did not "stick" to the still of the film thus restricting its use except as a temporary measure. It was great to have the trainees at the "chalk face" so that we could simulate the classroom experience (albeit without the most important people) and investigate together. I hope that we can keep this as a feature of the partnership as the feedback suggested that it was helpful to all parties.