Research indicates finger better than pen tool for students using interactive whiteboards

(I-Newswire) March 20, 2005 - SMART Technologies Inc. announces that a growing body of research validates the benefits of having students use their finger rather than a pen tool to control interactive whiteboards. Several independent research papers point to the specific advantage of using a finger to touch and operate the SMART Board™ interactive whiteboard. It was found that special pen tools or handheld devices may pose a challenge to some students, whereas the simple touch capability of the SMART Board interactive whiteboard is more engaging, especially for teaching younger students or those with special needs. According to researchers, teaching with the SMART Board interactive whiteboard also accommodates multiple learning styles - visual, auditory and tactile.

"SMART has always focused on developing intuitive classroom solutions," says Nancy Knowlton, SMART's president and co-CEO. "This collection of research findings clearly reinforces our thoughtful approach to product design, and proves the suitability and effectiveness of SMART Board interactive whiteboards in the classroom environment."

Excerpts from Recent Research Studies
"Special schools frequently choose SMART Board interactive whiteboards due to the need to operate it with pure touch rather than via a pen/stylus."

Sean O'Sullivan. September 2004. The Use of Interactive Whiteboards and Touchscreens by Pupils Who Have Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties. Anglia Polytechnic University, UK.

"We have noticed interaction between PMLD [Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties] and SLD [Severe to Moderate Learning Difficulties] youngsters who can now share an activity on the SMART Board [interactive whiteboard]. The SMART Board [interactive whiteboard] can accommodate gross movements which are made in their own time."

Keith Riley-Gledhill, Sir Charles Parsons School, cited in Sean O'Sullivan. September 2004. The Use of Interactive Whiteboards and Touchscreens by Pupils Who Have Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties. Anglia Polytechnic University, UK.

"Those students with strong visual and kinaesthetic learning styles are well catered [to] by a diverse range of Le@rning Federation learning objects especially if they are used in the context of a SMART Board [interactive whiteboard] – the electronic whiteboard that allows more whole body engagement with a learning object."
Lea Chapuis. June 2004. Learning Objects. Australian Capital Territory Education and Training, Australia.

"In the Bridge School, a student, who has profound and multiple learning difficulties, can touch the [SMART Board interactive] whiteboard to activate her favourite music.… This has encouraged her to reach out beyond her normal range of movement and she enjoys the freedom of being able to walk around.… The [SMART Board interactive] whiteboard provides an excellent focal point for pupils who find it difficult to work collaboratively. They are encouraged to interact with each other as well as the [interactive whiteboard]."

Andrew Beswetherick. December 2003. Information and Communications Technology and Its Impact on Learning. Best Practice Research Scholarships, UK.

Additional Supporting Research Findings
"The [interactive whiteboard] can accommodate different learning styles. Tactile learners can benefit from touching and marking at the [interactive whiteboard], audio learners can have the class discussion, visual learners can see what is taking place as it develops at the [interactive whiteboard].… Also, teachers with young students report success having them write on the [interactive whiteboard] with their fingers rather than the stylus."
Dr. Mary Ann Bell. January 2002. Why Use an Interactive Whiteboard? A Baker's Dozen Reasons!. Teachers.Net Gazette, U.S.

"The excitement of being able to touch the equipment created a good deal of motivation, as attendants competed to 'have a go'. … All students [ranging from adults to those with Severe to Moderate Learning Difficulties or SLD] have reacted in similar ways … and all have learned at a greater rate than their non-electronic peers.… The nature of interactivity and the images that can be used to reinforce learning is vital in teaching SLD students. To participate in the learning process … helps students to engage in a way that would not normally be possible in a classroom situation, adding to the richness [of] the learning experience."

Matthew Pugh. October 2001. Using an Interactive Whiteboard with SLD Students. Becta, Bournemouth and Poole College, UK.

"I wanted all the children (including Key Stage 1) to be able to interact directly and easily with the [interactive whiteboard] itself, which was to be the constant focus of attention. This ruled out special pens and tablets.… Finally, I chose the SMART Board [interactive whiteboard]. You can write with almost anything that comes to hand: a pen, a drumstick or simply use your finger. Children's attention is not diverted by any handheld device, as we all focus together on the [interactive whiteboard].… Children thoroughly enjoy getting involved in lessons by writing a word of improvement or editing and moving objects across the screen.… After a year it is difficult to imagine being without this tool again. The children are eager to participate and have become fluent users of this technology."

Hazel Hughes, ITCO. 2002. Innovative Projects in ICT 2002. Brill School, UK.

About SMART Board interactive whiteboards
The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is a large, touch-sensitive display. Connected to a computer and projector, the interactive whiteboard is like a giant computer screen that students and teachers simply touch to operate. Using their finger or a pen as a mouse, teachers and students can access and control any computer application, file or multimedia platform, including the Internet, CD-ROMs and DVDs. They can also write over applications in digital ink, then save their work for future study and review. The SMART Board interactive whiteboard engages students with diverse learning styles by providing both immediate access to a wide range of digital materials and a common focus for the entire class – not something easily achieved with other technologies. It is the number one choice among primary and secondary school educators in more than 75 countries worldwide because the pioneering software interface captures the imagination of students of all backgrounds and abilities in order to help them learn together, understand better and achieve more. For more information, visit www.smarttech.com/smartboard.


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SMART Technologies Inc.
1207 - 11th Avenue SW, Suite 300
Calgary, AB T3C 0M5
CANADA
Phone +1.403.802.2595
pr@smarttech.com

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