Job Discussion Forums

zorro (3) · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 202

Funny you should ask Justin.

Promactivstub78 �1129 exc vat and delivery.
This is a 78 inch model aimed at higher ed and sec ed users.

On top of this, you would need to purchase the projector which is around �400.

Then there are the resources that you can purchase or develop yourself. New English File have a series dedicated to IWBs. I think that they charge around �2000 for their software (this is from my memory though and I could be mistaken).

Why do I know so much? Because I'm submitting a 'mock' proposal for the installation of IWBs into a medium sized enterprise as we speak for my Masters.

You know that the installation of IWBs can benefit your marketing strategy ten fold what with the emphasis on technology nowadays. At the end of the day we are in business. If your competitors don't have them, you would be the most modern language school....

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:41 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that. I don't think they're gonna fit in this years budget. Which is okay, as technology is slow to arrive in Ecuador. (And expensive.)

We're already one of the most high tech schools around- because we have computers and ....gasp....dvd players!

All the best,
Justin

keepwalking · Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Posts: 194 Location: Peru, at last

I have no idea about costs here in Latin America but your concerns about them not being used to their full potential are valid. There is a temptation to see them as a way to show powerpoint presentations or movies on a big screen. If you do decide to invest in one or two, look into packages/companies that include training at a basic 'how do I switch it on' level and then come back later and offer further training and update software once staff have got to grips with the basics.

The two brand names I know are SMART and Promethean. I've used both and find the SMART software more accessible. The boards themselves are pretty similar I think.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:07 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that- I'm guilty of that here; at the moment, I can't actually imagine what they would be used for past power point on the wall. (Which I can already do with a projector, which we've finally been able to buy!)

If there are futher uses, I hope to learn soon- I've asked a local distributor to come round and explain them to us...

best,
Justin

Phil_b · Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 239 Location: Back in London

canadashirleyblue · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 162

I found there was an issue with class control and behaviour.

Unless the teacher knows what he/she is doing the class will be in total uproar while the teacher is messing about with the computer.

I used to set up a page and use it and not change to anything else because I was not familiar enough with the program.

In time staff will figure it out (mostly on their own). It certainly would not be a good investment for a school with a high rate of staff turnover.

For the amount of money involved I would think an investment in books and other learning materials would be more effective. The are not as sexy though so it might be harder to convince parents to fork out their cash.

Pavel · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 16

We have conducted Cognitive Task Analysis to design some of these learning applications. After the second or third class we usually have a Training Effectiveness Evaluation conduct.

Our evals have shown that each method of instruction has good and bad aspects. The flagship course that we ran was for Tagalog, the instructor was in Korea while the students were in various locations throughout the states. One of the students actually tested out 2+2 after the course was completed. Whiteboards are used throughout the instruction. The teacher pushes content to the student via the internet. The teacher also has the ability to monitor the student's activities while class is going on.

http://www.pecinc.com/PECSITE/Services/LanguageTraining/tabid/59/Default.aspx

It's a good method for some students but not the gold standard for others.

We have also been using computer games to assist:

http://www.tacticallanguage.com/tacticaliraqi/gettingthem.htm

This has appealed to the younger crowd, but again it doesn't answer the learning requirements for all students.

We also do the brick and mortar classrooms with about the same results. Some students excell while some daydream and need a lot of coaxing from the instructor.

Ultimately we are installing 36 language learning labs throughout the world so that the students can have access to personal instructors, teletraining or gamebased training.

Each method by itself does not guarantee success, mixing and matching has proven very successful.