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Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 1
Interactive White Board Use in the Self-Contained Special Education Classroom
Bethany Stiefel
Dr. Baylen
April 11, 2011
Executive Summary
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 2
Background Information
Calhoun City Schools is located in Calhoun, Georgia, approximately two hours north
of Atlanta and an hour south of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Calhoun City Schools serves over
3,000 students. Of those 3,000 students, approximately one percent are served in a self-
contained special education classroom setting. Students who make up a self-contained
special education class have disabilities that keep them from functioning successfully in a
general classroom setting. Although interactive white boards (IWB) have been progressively
installed in classrooms throughout the system for several years, the installment process has
taken place in self-contained special education classes only within the last year. The
expectation is that IWBs will allow special education teachers to more efficiently teach
technology-based lessons while actively engaging their students.
Purpose of the Evaluation
The special education director for Calhoun City Schools, who will serve as the client
for the purpose of this evaluation, was interested in how interactive white boards are being
used in self-contained classes across the system to better serve students with disabilities.
The client wanted to determine common practices, frequency of use, and comfort level of
self-contained teachers using IWBs for instruction. The client also wanted to identify
professional development needs that might be addressed through future trainings.
Evaluation Questions
Are special education teachers provided adequate training for IWB use?
How often are IWB used in self-contained special education classrooms?
What purpose do IWB serve in self-contained special education classrooms?
How much do self-contained special education students use IWBs?
What are some examples of how IWBs make instruction more effective?
Do teachers collaborate with others for resources and effective instructional uses?
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
Methods
With such a small collection group for the school system, it was imperative that 100%
participation was achieved from all self-contained teachers. Each self-contained teacher in
the school system was observed teaching a lesson using the interactive white board by the
evaluator. Each teacher also participated in an online survey provided by the evaluator
concerning how they use the IWB in their classroom, how often they use the IWB, whether
they feel they received adequate training, and collaboration for IWB related resources. The
results were graphed and analyzed by the evaluator to provide a clear picture of the
happenings around the IWB use in self-contained classes.
Key Findings
Interactive white boards are being used in to enhance instruction in self-contained
settings across the school system. However, the majority (60% of self-contained teachers)
use IWB for only 30-60 minutes per instructional day. All teachers use interactive white
boards in the self-contained setting for video, review games, and teacher-led interactive
websites. Video is used on the IWB for 40% of self-contained classes. Twenty percent of
teachers use review games most frequently. Another 20% use student-led interactive
websites most, while 40% use IWB for other means. Eighty percent of self-contained
teachers reported feeling adequately trained to use IWBs in their classrooms while only 40%
of those teachers reported being “very comfortable” using it. One hundred percent of
teachers surveyed reported that they think they would benefit from addition professional
development focused in IWBs. Eighty percent of self-contained teachers would like to see
professional development include interactive web resources, while 20% would like to know
more about creating and using flipcharts, and 0% interested in IWB basic skills.
Recommendations and Conclusions
Based on survey and observation results, self-contained teachers seem to be using
IWBs for limited uses. Professional development concerning interactive web resources for
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 4
students with disabilities is needed for self-contained teachers to broaden their instructional
uses with the IWB. Teachers are currently using the IWB to replace videos and dry-erase
boards. More emphasis needs to be placed on student-interaction with IWBs. Based on the
observations, self-contained teachers are using IWBs for very low academic instruction.
Teachers would benefit from collaboration sessions and professional development
opportunities to share web resources that include a functional curriculum to derive more
frequent and in-depth use of IWBs.
Interactive White Board Use in the Self-Contained Special Education Classroom
Introduction
The evaluation being conducted will focus on interactive white board (IWB) use in
self-contained special education classes at Calhoun City Schools. Teachers and
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 5
administrators alike will agree upon the importance of engaging students in technology-rich
21st century classrooms. As part of 21st century initiatives across the nation, interactive
whiteboards have taken an increasingly prominent role in classrooms across America.
Although many schools have taken the steps to get this technology and professional
development to use it in place, very little research has been conducted on the effects of
IWBs in special education classrooms. This evaluation will be used to gather data concerning
the effective uses of IWBs in self-contained special education classrooms, teacher resources,
and professional development needs. The client for this evaluation is Bob Orfield, special
education director of Calhoun City Schools with stakeholders including special education
teachers, students provided with special education services, and parents of such students.
In preparation for this evaluation, information was gathered from several articles
concerning similar evaluations of the effects of interactive whiteboards in the classroom. In
comparing these studies, I discovered that most of the results rendered interactive
whiteboards useful tools in the classroom. The reasons behind the success in each of these
studies, while somewhat varied from study to study, seemed to be very basic and based on
common sense. Wall, Higgins, and Smith (2005) conclude that,
“interactive whiteboards can be effective tools for initiating and facilitating
the learning process, especially where pupil participation and use of the board
is utilized. The way in which information is presented, through color and
movement in particular, is seen by the pupils to be motivating and reinforces
concentration and attention.”
In Engagement with Electronic Screen Media among Students with Autism Spectrum
Disorders, the results stated that all types of electronic screen media (ESM) proved to help
hold students’ attention, but viewing oneself on the screen rendered greater gaze time and
potentially greater chance of information retention (Mechling, Ziegler, Gill & Salkin, 2009).
Armstrong, Barnes, Sutherland, and associates discovered that teachers implementing IWB
technology into their instruction will require ongoing training and support for their selection
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 6
of appropriate instructional software (2005). They also stated that support would need to be
in place for teachers to deepen and enhance their lesson reflections to provide students with
the most beneficial learning experiences. In the study concerning the use of interactive
whiteboards for literacy in primary schools in England, Shenton and Pagett (2007) concluded
that interactive whiteboards were used in various ways, according to teachers’ technical
expertise and experience. Two studies were conducted to determine the effective uses of
IWB technology among students with disabilities in a small group arrangement. The first
study determined using IWBs was effective in teaching letter sounds, and students acquired
some letter sounds targeted for other students and incidental information (letter names)
presented in the instructive feedback statements for their own and other group members’
target stimuli (Campbell & Mechling, 2009). The second study established that “the large
screen [was effective] for delivering target information and learning of other students’
information by making images more visible and increasing attention to the task,” (Mechling,
Gast, & Krupa, 2007). In The Features of Interactive Whiteboards and Their Influence on
Learning, the authors decided that IWBs have an “important influence on teaching and
learning” and “can provide potential and structure for action in the classroom,” (Kennewell
& Beauchamp, 2007).
Based on the results found in each study, I have solid ground on which to conduct my
own study. Not only did each study find IWBs to be effective for instruction in some way or
another, but the collection also proved IWBs to be effective in general education classrooms
as well as special education settings. Since the findings in these articles support the use of
IWBs in multiple educational settings, I should be able to use my evaluation to easily
pinpoint the effective uses of interactive whiteboards for students with moderate intellectual
disabilities in my school system. Evaluation of whether or not the teachers in my school
system have had adequate training, how often IWBs are used, the purposes for the use,
examples of how IWBs make instruction more effective, how often students use IWBs, and
how teachers collaborate with others for resources and effective instructional uses will
enable me to show data to support effectiveness of using IWBs. With this information, I will
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 7
also be able to make specific recommendations of how the system can improve the IWB use
for students with disabilities.
Purpose
The purpose of this evaluation is to examine the implementation and usage of
interactive white boards (IWB) in self-contained special education classrooms. Although
many studies have been found that concentrate on 21st century technology in the classroom,
few address it in the special education setting. Of the few I came across, Mineo, Ziegler, Gill,
& Salkin (2009) completed a study that focused on students with autism and how electronic
screen media affected student engagement. Another article focused on how IWB technology
affected how students with mild learning disabilities learn literacy skills (Campbell &
Mechling, 2009). A third study discussed the effective uses of IWBs with literacy skills,
specifically grocery related sight words and images (Mechling, Gast, & Krupa, 2007). All
three of these articles supported the use of IWBs in small groups or one-on-one for students
with disabilities. Two of the articles results found that IWBs helped students focus on the
task due to the large screen size and other students were able to acquire non-target literacy
skills by being present while other students participate in their target literacy instruction
(Campbell & Mechling, 2009) (Mechling, Gast, & Krupa, 2007). The article that focused on
electronic screen media for students with autism found that the IWB increased gaze time for
students with autism, which in turn, would increase the likelihood of information retention
(Mineo, Ziegler, Gill, & Salkin, 2009).
The evaluation will determine how often IWBs are used by teachers and students,
what IWBs are used for, whether teachers received adequate training, whether teachers
collaborate for resources and effective instructional strategies, and examples of effective
instructional strategies (Wall, Higgins, & Smith, 2005). The evaluation will be formative
(Armstrong, Barnes, Sutherland, Curran, Mills, & Thompson, 2005) and the data collected
will be used to improve the usage of interactive white boards in the self-contained special
education classroom to better meet the needs of the students.
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 8
Evaluation Questions
In order to provide meaningful information to the stakeholders of this evaluation, the
following questions will be addressed:
Are special education teachers provided adequate training for IWB use?
How often are IWB used in self-contained special education classrooms?
What purpose do IWB serve in self-contained special education classrooms?
How much do self-contained special education students use IWBs?
What are some examples of how IWBs make instruction more effective?
Do teachers collaborate with others for resources and effective instructional uses?
Methods
Participants
Calhoun City Schools currently serves over 3,000 students from Pre-K to grade 12.
One percent of these students receive special education services in a self-contained
classroom.
The participants will include self-contained special education teachers at Calhoun
City Schools. The system currently supports five self-contained special education
classrooms: two at the primary school, one at the elementary school, one at the middle
school, and one at the high school.
Design and Procedures
The evaluation procedures consist of the following methods:
Observations will be collected from each classroom. The observation will be
completed by the use of a checklist created by the evaluator. The checklist will
enable the researcher to determine how and for what purpose IWBs are being used in
self-contained special education classes.
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 9
An electronic survey will be provided for participants to complete after observations
have been made by the evaluator. The survey will consist of a combination of open-
ended and closed questions.
Instruments
Materials needed to complete this evaluation were created by the evaluator: Instruments
include:
Observation Checklist- This instrument will provide the evaluator a list of areas to
look for during the observation of each classroom.
Teacher Survey- The survey will provide teachers with a list a comprehensive
questions that will enable them to evaluate how much time they spend using IWBs
for instruction, how much time students spend using the IWB, the types of activities
they use most on the IWB, their comfort levels, and professional development needs.
Data Analysis
Surveys
The survey will be created and analyzed using GoogleDocs. Teachers will be provided
a link to the survey with the intention for it to be completed on the computer so results can
be directly sent to the evaluator upon completion. Each question on the survey will be
analyzed to determine response patterns among participants by putting the information into
a graph and a percentage. Those questions answered using a rating scale will be averaged
to determine the average answer among participants. Grade level taught and will be taken
into consideration when determining relevance of rating scale answers to determine
appropriate uses of IWB software at different grade levels. Open-ended questions will be
grouped based on similarities.
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 10
Observations
The observation checklist will be used to determine whether interactive white boards
are being used in classrooms and the activities that students are engaged in during IWB use.
The data collected during the observations will be put into a table to determine common
uses. The data will also be quantified by grouping similar answers into percentages. The
observations will provide the evaluator with first-hand data as opposed to second-hand
responses.
Summary of Key Findings
Are special education teachers provided adequate training for IWB use?
As reported by all teachers surveyed, 80% feel that they received adequate training
on using the interactive white board to enhance instruction. On a scale of one to five with
one being very comfortable and five being not comfortable at all, 40% of teachers surveyed
reported being very comfortable (1) using the interactive white board, followed by another
40% being pretty comfortable (2) , while 20% were just comfortable (3). Although the
teachers reported being comfortable with using IWB technology, 100% of these teachers feel
that they would benefit from additional professional development concerning IWB use. The
most frequent (80%) type of professional development suggested was interactive web
resources, 20% of teachers were interested in flipchart use, while 0% were interested in
basic skills.
How often are IWB used in self-contained special education classrooms?
Interactive white boards yield potentially greater chance of information retention
(Mineo, Ziegler, Gill, & Salkin, 2009). They are being used in each self-contained class in the
school system. Teachers most frequently reported using the IWB 30-60 minutes/day with
60% of teachers selecting this time frame. Twenty percent of teachers reported using the
IWB less than that time, selecting “0-30 minutes/day” as how often the IWB is used for
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 11
instruction in their classroom, while 20% reported using IWBs 60-90 minutes/day. No teacher
reported using IWBs more than 90 minutes/day.
What purpose do IWBs serve in self-contained special education classrooms?
Interactive white boards “can provide potential and structure for action in the
classroom,” (Kennewell & Beauchamp, 2007). They were reported being most frequently
used for video in the self-contained classrooms in the Calhoun City School system. Although
100% of teachers reported using the IWB for video, review games, and teacher-led
interactive websites, 40% reported video being the most frequent practice of IWB use in
their classroom. Other activities complete using the IWB included dry-erase, presentation of
documents, and student-led interactive websites with 40% of teachers reporting using IWBs
for dry-erase activities, 40% of teachers using it for presentation of documents, and 60%
using IWBs for student-led interactive websites. The second most frequent uses were review
games and student-led interactive websites, both with 20% of teachers reporting use of
these activities in their classrooms most frequently.
How much do self-contained special education students use IWBs?
According to a recent study, interactive white boards help make images more visible
and increase student attention to the task, (Mechling, Gast, & Krupa, 2007). Based on the
survey results, self-contained students use IWBs at all grade-levels. Forty percent of special
education teachers stated that students use IWBs for 0-30 minutes/day in their classrooms.
Another 40% reported students using IWBs for 30-60 minutes/day, while 20% reported
students using IWBs 60-90 minutes/day. No teacher reported student IWB use to exceed 90
minutes/day.
What are some examples of how IWBs make instruction more effective?
Wall, Higgins, and Smith (2005) concluded that interactive white boards can be
effective tools for initiating and facilitating the learning process. To go along with this, all
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 12
teachers surveyed think that IWBs make instruction more effective. One teacher stated, “It
gets the students’ attention.” Another teacher reported, “Use of the interactive white board
helps students with severe attending difficulties maintain attention to tasks. It also gives
those with fine motor difficulties an opportunity to practice their skills and work on
coordination.” One teacher reported that, “[using the IWB] gives children the opportunity to
be hands on while we are able to access so many more engaging activities that capture
student attention and maintain attention,” while another stated, “Interactive white boards
allow teachers to complete technology-rich lessons and students to engage in technology-
based instruction that would not be feasible using a computer alone. Students can interact
with the boards while receiving feedback from the teacher in real-time during a class
discussion type setting.”
Do teachers collaborate with others for resources and effective instructional uses?
Teachers need to collaborate for selection of appropriate instructional software
(Armstrong, Barnes, Sutherland, Curran, Mills, & Thompson, 2005). Eighty percent of
teachers reported collaborating with others for web resources and effective instructional
uses. Although the majority of teachers claim to collaborate with others, 80% also reported
wanting professional development concerning interactive web resources. When teachers
described how they collaborate they stated that they “ask for websites others use.” They
also said, “I have shared and exchanged websites with ability-appropriate content for
students with teachers in this and other schools in our system.” One teacher reported, “We
keep many lists of interactive sites on our school shared drive; I also plan with other
teachers in the self-contained setting as well as homeroom teacher at the elementary
school.”
Recommendations and Conclusions
Purchasing expensive technology for classrooms does not mean that the technology
will be used to its fullest potential without specific professional development opportunities.
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 13
Based on the observations and survey results, self-contained teachers are making an effort
to use IWBs to benefit instruction on a daily basis because they recognize that IWBs have
“important influence on teaching and learning” (Kennewell & Beauchamp, 2007). The needs
of self-contained classes differ from the needs of the general education setting. Although
self-contained teachers are using IWBs, the uses are limited and so are the resources.
Armstrong et al. (2005) agrees that these teachers will require ongoing training and support
in the form of professional development opportunities and collaboration sessions concerning
interactive web resources. The teachers seem to have a firm grasp on basic skills concerning
the IWB, but they want to know more about how they can use it more frequently and more
efficiently to benefit their students. According to a study completed in England, interactive
whiteboards were used in various ways, according to teachers’ technical expertise and
experience (Shenton & Pagett, 2007). Web resources containing functional curriculum skills
would be most beneficial in helping aid students with disabilities that are served in these
classrooms.
The evaluation process overall was a success. In retrospect, scheduling announced
and unannounced observations would prove to show a clearer picture of the regular
technology-based happenings in a self-contained classroom. Interviews might have also
helped the evaluator determine more specific teacher needs. The conclusion of the
evaluation will be presented to the client for discussion and professional development
outcomes.
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 14
References
Armstrong, V., Barnes, S., Sutherland, R., Curran, S., Mills, S., & Thompson, I. (2005).
Collaborative research methodology for investigating teaching and learning: the use
of interactive whiteboard technology. Educational Review, 457-469.
Campbell, M. L., & Mechling, L. C. (2009). Small group computer-assisted instruction with
SMART board technology: An investigation of observational and incidental learning of
nontarget information. Remedial and Special Education, (1), 47-57.
Kennewell, S., & Beauchamp, G. (2007). The features of interactive whiteboards and their
influence on learning. Learning, Media and Technology, 227-241.
Mechling, L. C., Gast, D. L., & Krupa, K. (2007). Impact of smart board technology: An
investigation of sight word reading and observational learning. Journal of Autism and
Developmental Disorders, 1869-1882.
Mineo, B. A., Ziegler, W., Gill, S., & Salkin, D. (2009). Engagement with electronic screen
media among students with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and
Developmental Disorders, 172-187.
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 15
Shenton, A., & Pagett, L. (2007). From "bored" to screen: The use of the interactive
whiteboard for literacy in six primary classrooms in England. Literacy, 129-136.
Wall, K., Higgins, S., & Smith, H. (2005). "The visual helps me understand the complicated
things": Pupil views of teaching and learning with interactive whiteboards. British
Journal of Educational Technology, 851-867.
Appendix A
Checklist for Classroom Observations
Date___________________________
Grade Level_____________________
Subject_________________________
Skill Being Taught___________________________________________________________
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 16
_____ IWB is being used during the observation
______ IWB is NOT being used during the observation
------------------------------------------IWB Use---------------------------------------------------
______ Teacher is interacting with the IWB (using teacher-centered approach where content
on IWB is main focus)
______ Students are interacting with the IWB (using student-centered approach where
content on IWB is main focus)
______ As a presentation board for documents or forms
Appendix A (continued)
______ For video
______ For flip chart
______ For website
______ For dry erase
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 17
Appendix B
Surveys for Self-Contained Special Education Teachers at Calhoun City Schools
Grade Level_____________________
Years of Teaching Experience ________________
Gender
Male
Female
1. How often do you use interactive white boards as a part of your instruction?
a. 0-30 minutes each day
b. 30-60 minutes each day
c. 60-90 minutes each day
d. 90+ minutes each day
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 18
2. How much time do students spend using the interactive white board in a typical
school day?
a. 0-30 minutes each day
b. 30-60 minutes each day
c. 60-90 minutes each day
d. 90+ minutes each day
3. What types of activities do you engage in most using the interactive white board?
Rate from 1 to 7. 1 being most frequent- 7 being least frequent.
_____ Dry-erase
_____ Presentation of documents
Appendix B (continued)
_____ Video
_____ Review games
_____ Teacher-led interactive websites
_____ Student-led interactive websites
_____ Other______________________
4. How comfortable are you in using your interactive white board?
a. Very comfortable
b. Comfortable
c. Not as comfortable as I would like
d. Not comfortable at all
5. Do you feel like you received adequate training for using your interactive white
board?
a. Yes
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 19
b. No
6. Do you feel like you would benefit from additional professional development? Check
all that apply.
____Yes:
____ Interactive web resources
____ Basic skills
____ Using and making flipcharts
____ Other:_________________________________________
Appendix B (continued)
____No
7. Do you feel like using interactive white boards makes instruction more effective?
____Yes, provide examples:
______________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________
____No
8. Do you collaborate with other teachers for resources and effective instructional uses
for interactive white boards?
____Yes, provide examples:
______________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________
____No
Additional Comments
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 20
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________
Appendix C
Survey Results
Grade Level:
K-2: 2 40%
3-5: 1 20%
6-8: 1 20%
9-12: 1 20%
Gender:
Male: 1 20%
Female: 4 80%
How many years of teaching experience do you have?
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 21
20; 10; 8; 7; 4
How often do you use interactive white boards as part of your instruction?
0-30 min/day: 1 20%
30-60 min/day: 3 60%
60-90 min/day: 1 20%
90+ min/day: 0 0%
Appendix C (continued)
How much time do students spend using the interactive white board in a typical school day?
0-30 minutes/day: 2 40%
30-60 minutes/day: 2 40%
60-90 minutes/day: 1 20%
90+ minutes/day:0 0%
What type of activities do you engage in using the interactive white board?
Dry-erase: 2 40%
Presentation of documents: 2 40%
Video: 5
100%
Review games: 5 100%
Teacher-led interactive websites: 5
100%
Student-led interactive websites: 3 60%
Other: 0 0%
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 22
Which of the above activities do you use most with the interactive white board?
Dry-erase: 0 0%
Presentation of documents: 0 0%
Video: 2 40%
Review games: 1 20%
Teacher-led interactive websites: 0 0%
Student-led interactive websites: 1 20%
Other: 2 40%
Appendix C (continued)
How comfortable are you in using your interactive white board?
1-Very comfortable 2 40%
2- 2 40%
3- 1 20%
4- 0 0%
5- Not comfortable at all 0 0%
Do you feel like you received adequate training for using your interactive white board?
Yes4 80%
No 1 20%
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 23
Do you feel like you would benefit from additional professional development?
Yes5 100%
No 0 0%
Appendix C (continued)
If you answered yes above, please indicate the type of professional development you would
like.
Interactive Web Resources: 4 80%
Basic Skills: 0 0%
Using/Making Flipcharts: 1 20%
Do you feel like using interactive white boards makes instruction more effective?
Yes5 100%
No 0 0%
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 24
If you answered yes above, please provide a brief explanation.
Response 1: “it gets the students attention”
Response 2: “Use of the interactive white board helps students with severe attending
difficulties maintain attention to task. It also gives those with fine motor difficulties an
opportunity to practice their skills and work on coordination.”
Response 3: No response
Response 4: “It gives children the opportunity to be hands on while we are able to access
so many more engaging activities that capture student attention and maintain attention.”
Response 5: “Interactive white boards allow teachers to complete technology-rich lessons
and students to engage in technology-based instruction that would not be feasible using a
Appendix C (continued)
computer alone. Students can interact with the boards while receiving feedback from the
teacher in real-time during a class discussion type setting.”
Do you collaborate with other teachers for resources and effective instructional uses for
interactive white boards?
Yes 4 80%
No 1 20%
If you answered yes above, please provide examples below.
Response 1: “asking for websites others use”
Response 2: “I have shared & exchanged websites with ability-appropriate content for
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 25
students with teachers in this and other schools in our system.”
Response 3: No response
Response 4: “We keep many lists of interactive sites on our school shared drive; I also plan
with other teachers in the self-contained setting as well as homeroom teacher at the
elementary school.”
Appendix D
Observation Checklist Results
Grade Level
Subject IWB Use
Student Interaction
Teacher Interaction
Document/Forms
Video Flipchart Website Dry Erase
K-2 ELA/Reading
Yes X X
K-2 Calendar/ Circle Time
Yes X X X
3-5 Math Yes X X X6-8 Calendar/
Circle TimeYes X X
9-12 Math Yes X X X X
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 26
Data Collection Organization Matrix
Questions Related Results
Levels (Mega, Macro, Micro)
Required Data/ Measurable Indicators
Data Source
Data Collection Tools/ Procedures
Data Collected By (Date)
Primary Responsibility
Have special education teachers with IWBs been provided with adequate training?
Students are able to gain a better understanding of academic standards and functional life skills by engaging in productive and motivating activities involving interactive white boards.
Macro Data will be gathered by evaluator through surveys
Teachers Surveys 3/11/11 Evaluation
How often are IWBs
Students served with Special
Mega Data will be gathered
Teachers and observatio
Surveys and observatio
3/11/11 Evaluation
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 27
used in self-contained special education classrooms?
Education services are a part of a positive, productive, 21st century learning environment due to the use of interactive white board technology. Students become functional, active citizens in 21st century society.
by evaluator through surveys and observations
ns ns
For what purpose are IWBs being used?
Students are able to gain a better understanding of academic standards and functional life skills by engaging in productive and motivating activities involving interactive white boards.
Students are able to use interactive white boards to learn and review skills being practiced. Students are able to participate in student-centered, technology rich
Macro
Micro
Data will be gathered by evaluator through surveys and observations
Teachers and observations
Surveys and observations
3/11/11 Evaluation
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 28
instructional activities.
What are some examples of how IWBs make instruction more effective?
Students are able to use interactive white boards to learn and review skills being practiced. Students are able to participate in student-centered, technology rich instructional activities.
Micro Data will be gathered by evaluator through surveys
Teachers Surveys 3/11/11 Evaluation
How much time do students use IWBs?
Students served with Special Education services are a part of a positive, productive, 21st century learning environment due to the use of interactive white board technology. Students become functional, active citizens in 21st century society.
Mega Data will be gathered by evaluator through surveys
Teachers Surveys 3/11/11 Evaluation
How do teachers collaborate with others for resources and effective instructional uses?
Students served with Special Education services are a part of a positive, productive, 21st century learning environment due to the use of
Mega Data will be gathered by evaluator through surveys
Teachers Surveys 3/11/11 Evaluation
Running Head: INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 29
interactive white board technology. Students become functional, active citizens in 21st century society.