Teachers and new technology: interactive whiteboards at British Council Hong Kong Richard Pearson 2006CALL, Beijing, 4 th June 2006

Overview What is an IWB? Background to the study Four case studies Conclusions Two years on Questions

What is an interactive whiteboard? Board + Data Projector + Computer Whole class computer images At-board manipulation Teacher-mediated IWBdemo1.mov

Background: IWBs at the British Council British Council policy – adding value Hong Kong – a testing ground Interactive Whiteboards – a total solution approach

Question: how are the new boards being used? Mainly used in mainstream education Little used in an EFL context Preliminary description as potential springboard

Approach A qualitative study Four case studies – “thick” description Questionnaire, Interview, Observation Learner data

Questionnaire data Teachers positive overall… –62.5% think their introduction was positive –75% feel confident using an IWB with adults –Only 21% felt students had not reacted well to IWB

Questionnaire data But… –About half had doubts about compatibility –Two thirds felt IWBs encourage teacher- centredness –50% thought that the language learning process was not enriched –75% believed IWBs have not enhanced their ability to teach adults

Case studies: four teachers NameNo. years teaching QualificationsTime using IWB Derek4CELTA10 months Sarah20DELTA10 months Harry8DELTA11 months Robert11DELTA10 months

Case studies: four teachers Compatible with approach, but… Access to resources Improved staging Increased confidence with ICT Continuity Sharing of resources, but…

Case studies: four teachers More compatible with subject teaching? What do they actually add? Preparation time Consultation

Conclusions Change does not happen overnight Focus on fruitful areas User buy-in imperative

Two years on… Shift in training emphasis Build-up of shared resources IWB-specific EFL materials Reintroduction of traditional whiteboards