Their solution: Reactive Colours is a software project being developed at Cardiff’s University of Wales Institute. Displayed on an interactive whiteboard, the software encourages autistic children to touch the board and control the repetitive shapes and patterns they are typically drawn to. The boards are much easier for these children to manipulate than a mouse or keyboard. And by sharing the physical experience of  “feeling” shapes with a small group, autistic children are not just interacting with the boards, but with each other.

You can read the full Reactive Colours case study.

Isobel Mair School
Motivating and Engaging Pupils

At the Scottish Learning Festival 2007, Mari Wallace, the Head Teacher at Isobel Mair School, gave a presentation assisted by pupils from the school.The session was designed to give you the opportunity to see how the teachers at Isobel Mair School have creatively incorporated the use of SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards into their lessons something which Mari says has raised the levels of attainment and achievement and enabled pupils to become successful learners and confident individuals.  Staff and pupils demonstrated how they seamlessly incorporate the SMART Board interactive whiteboard into their lessons, enabling them to drive the direction of lessons and really make the curriculum work for the pupils.

You can read the full Isobel Mair School Case Study.

Ballakermeen High School
The challenge: Give teachers the skills and confidence to use their SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards.

Their solution: Pioneer interactive whiteboards through the Languages department. Language learning is supported by software such as Task Magic from mdlsoft as well as downloads from language specialists Linguascope and their new website Linguamate, a resource that allows teachers to create attractive games and activities easily. Materials from Boardworks include audio dictionaries based on QCA target vocabulary.In addition, teachers are encouraged to explore different ways of working with the boards and to share that knowledge with colleagues and students alike.

See the full Ballakermeen High School case study.

Fernhill School & Language College
The challenge: Connecting with students brought up with the internet, electronic games and interactive TV.

Their solution: Use the same kind of technology that distracts students to attract them. The SMART Notebook™ software installed as standard on every SMART Board™ interactive whiteboard lets Fernhill students manipulate materials in a way that has become comfortable to them, with tools to drag, edit and enhance images and text. Staff incorporate recognised software from Boardworks and games such as Blockbusters, but are also able to build bespoke learning materials using film clips and other mass media forms with which their students are already familiar.

You can read the full Fernhill Secondary School case study.

James Allen's Girls' School (JAGS)
The challenge: Embed the use of technology into the daily life of the classroom.

Their solution: A carefully planned programme of teacher training and support to back up their new SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards. Interactive whiteboards were introduced through Design & Technology classes where ICT was already in use, and then spread gradually through other departments. Students and teachers are encouraged to use computers regularly as part of classroom work and for personal communication within the school; the use of projectors is also widespread. SMART Notebook™ software made it easier to get the first teachers to explore interactive whiteboards in their own classrooms. Those early adopters are now training their colleagues, a peer-to-peer system that promotes the best use of this technology at JAGS.

You can read the full JAGS case study.