Interactive Displays
Getting the best from your interactive classroom
The benefits and drawbacks of interactive classrooms
Now that the majority of classrooms have some form of interactive display installed and people have been using them for some time, we have become aware of the benefits (and drawbacks) of their use.
As with all new technologies there is a danger that people can become preoccupied with the technical specifications, causing them to lose sight of the educational benefits and disadvantages.
For many years, the focus in special education was on the individual and how we could best cater for their needs by providing for each student a personalised learning situation and appropriate learning materials. The nature, size and positioning of interactive displays has resulted in their being frequently used for whole class teaching. This means that all children will be presented with the same materials regardless of their individual needs and learning styles.
Helping all children to participate in interactive learning
By providing suitable adaptations and modifications, we can begin to address the individual needs of each student and enhance their participation in a lesson:
- Individual access needs
- Visual impairment adaptations
- Differentiation of content
- Pre and post lesson preparation
- Using AAC materials in a lesson
- Interpretation and mediation
- Initial design of classroom display
Individual access needs
While many students will be able to interact with the display by direct touch there are others who, for various reasons, are unable to touch the screen. They will be confined to the role of being passive observers unless we provide for alternative access. This can be done in different ways:
- A wireless rollerball or joystick – the Optimax range can be used from anywhere in the classroom to operate software.
- A wireless switch to operate switch software or to allow a child to do mouse clicks from a distance.
- Wireless keyboards to add text to the screen.
- Use a height adjustable display.
Visual adaptations
In addition to the obvious issues of being able to see the screen clearly, some children find the increased emphasis on visual resources and the pace of the lesson all make it difficult to join in.
As well as following good practice by adopting a clear visual style (good for many other students) we can make further adaptations:
- Provide printed versions of the screens used
- Give the student additional time before and after a class lesson to use the material
- Provide additional tactile and real materials to reinforce content
- Another adult could interpret and comment on the lesson
- An additional display close to the student could echo the main screen
- Create additional screens with clearer/ less content
Differentiation of content
It is unlikely that all children in a group will be able to understand and make sense of every activity, so we need to plan to cater for individual needs. In many cases, adopting good practice for students with visual problems will help others:
- Provide support materials – objects, pictures symbols, etc.
- Create additional displays with less content, symbols and auditory cues
- Provide adult support during a session
- Give individual access to programs used at another time
Communication difficulties
Children all like to join in and we should support this by providing extra materials for those with communication difficulties.
- Create simple communication charts related to lesson content
- Add suitable overlays/vocabulary to communication aids
- Use extra adult support for some students
- Add symbols and pictures to lesson displays
Classroom technology
While many classrooms will already have an interactive system installed, the opportunity may arise for you to choose a new one. There are now many alternatives to a projector and screen – here are some points to consider when making your choice:
- Can it be used by everyone from tall teachers to short students?
- Is projector noise a problem?
- Can it be used in all lighting conditions?
- Can you change your classroom layout?
- Is it mobile?
- What is the cost of maintenance over a period of time?
- Will the user cast a distracting shadow?
- Will it provide a stable and flicker free image?
- Is there a risk of students looking into the projector bulb?