Abstract
Currently, South African educators provide their students with important
information in a lesson via paper-based resources and chalkboards. Whilst these methods have been used for many years, teaching methods and materials have evolved to the point that chalkboards may no longer be useful. An interesting new form of technology, namely interactive whiteboards (IWBs), has recently been introduced as an alternative to antiquated teaching methods. IWBs are touch-sensitive new-generation boards controlled by a computer that is connected to a digital projector (Saltan & Arslan, 2009). However, teachers’ experience with this new technology in South African schools has not been established. This minor dissertation, therefore, aimed to understand the experiences teachers had when using an IWB for teaching and learning.
A total of 10 educators were selected to take part in this study. Within the study, different means by which IWB have become central in the teaching and learning processes within schools were established. In order to determine how IWBs are used for teaching and learning, the researcher made use of a case study. Using this method assisted the researcher’s search for information that would delve into the advantages and disadvantages of IWBs in South African schools.
It was found that educators used IWBs for writing, downloading and uploading
multiple tasks. The case study also revealed that IWB made teaching interesting for learners. In this regard, IWBs were found to make teaching easier in many ways. However, IWB use presents several unique challenges, such as technical issues (glitches, freezing or dumped information) with teachers receiving insufficient support to solve these issues. Furthermore, South African schools are also presented with the additional challenge of loadshedding. Fortunately, the research concluded that despite these challenges, IWBs remained an important source of ensuring transformative and pedagogically oriented teaching and learning, as well as enhancing teaching and learning in poor environments such as townships.