9) What does research say about using Interactive Whiteboards? What are the pros and cons? Would you want to have one in your classroom?

There is so much hub-bub about the Interactive Whiteboard mania.  Is this device truly a technological marvel?  Does it live up to teacher/student/administrative expectations?  While people are hailing and praising its use, there does not seem to be enough research on this topic to warrant funding them in school districts.

The makers of this technology give convincing sales pitches, but what do teachers and students have to say once the novelty wears off?  Here are some pros and cons on using an Interactive Whiteboard:

Pros:

• Students respond well because it accommodates many learning styles.
• It can accommodate students with limited motor skills.
• The use of color attracts students attention to the board.
• Student senses are invovled in the lesson.
• Students are focused.
• Lessons are clear and dynamic.
• Can be used in all subject matters.
• Information can be shared with others outside the classroom.
• Resources for electronic whiteboards are abundant on the Internet.

Cons:

• Although reports have been made of the higher motivational increase on students, it is unclear if this effect wears off after familiarity sets in (Smith 2000).
• There are no studies or research to show if students lose that high interest gained from using the board.
• Not having good research on students' long term learning with the board will possibly hinder its potential use in some school districts. 
• Set-up takes long.
• There are too many wires.
• PC friendly not Mac friendly.
• The board is senstive and bumping it can cause accuracy problems
• Location of the board:  the teacher must be arms length away to operate it which can prevent the teacher from walking around the room and interacting with the students.

Personally, I would like to have an interactive whiteboard in my room.  I wouldn't necessarily need to use it for every lesson.  I think it would be an added resource for the class and keep my students engaged.  

Here is a link to the pros and cons of using an interactive whiteboard:
http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Electronic_Whiteboards