UK – 5 September 2008 – This fact was highlighted in a  recent research study, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and carried out by Sara Hennessy and Rosemary Deaney, University of Cambridge, Faculty of Education, 184 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 8PQ.

‘These IWBs(interactive whiteboards) have had a meteoric rise in popularity in schools,’ says Sara Hennessy who carried out the project with Rosemary Deaney of Cambridge University. ‘But, until recently, assumptions about how they have transformed teaching were not based on hard evidence.’

The system consists of a computer linked to a data projector and a large touch-sensitive board, which displays images, graphics, animations and videos. You can write captions directly onto the board and instantly convert your handwriting to type. You can create suspense by hiding and revealing text and graphics.  They can also be used with a special camera so that pupils can develop their own written ideas and images, and then share them with the class by projecting their work onto the IWB.

‘We explored how teachers might use projection technology to give space, time and status to pupils’ contributions to lessons. We wanted to look at the ways in which it could be used to challenge and develop pupils’ thinking,’ Dr Hennessy says. The research also discusses the dangers of technology-driven teaching and warns that time constraints can lead to superficial use of the technology.

In the study, English, history, mathematics and science teachers used interactive whiteboards and data projectors in various ways.

• Circling and highlighting make complex ideas more concrete and draw attention to particular features
• Spotlighting, enlarging and zooming can help to investigate detail and keep attention on key concepts
• Dragging and dropping are used to classify objects.

A unique strength of IWB technology is that it allows teachers and students to revisit previous sessions of saved activity, which helps to reignite and build on earlier learning. The researchers also found that using IWBs can:

• Provide new opportunities for learners to express themselves publicly, receive critical feedback and reformulate their thoughts.
• Stimulate discussion.
• Allow teachers to adapt to individual learning needs.

The project has provoked interest from academics, trainees and teacher educators. A series of 5 interactive CD-ROMs have been developed for teachers. These are designed to stimulate debate around key issues rather than offering models of ‘best practice’ and they are already proving influential in teacher education. The researchers are confident that the project will be welcomed by policymakers seeking a return on investment.

‘We have shown that in the right hands the IWB can be a motivating and immensely powerful tool,’ says Dr Hennessy. ‘It allows teachers and pupils to build and test complex ideas together, and supports active learning in new ways.’

Further information about this study can be found on the Cambridge University website, Faculty of Education by clicking here.

Galway, Ireland – 2nd September, 2008 – Learn Skills, the web-based skills and compliance based company is pleased to announce its lasted partnership with TypingMaster (TypingMaster Finland, Inc.), a leading software developer for typing training and testing both for organizational customers as well as home users since 1992.

Today hundreds of schools and companies worldwide are using more than 100,000 copies of TypeMaster products designed to fulfill their special needs. Full network support, economical licensing and the internet based solutions among other things have made TypingMaster a premium choice for organizational and academic customers.  Unlike traditional typing drill programs, TypingMaster monitors your progress, identifies the areas where you need additional practice, and creates exercises designed to improve these areas. This personal approach dramatically reduces the time it takes to become a proficient touch typist.

With TypingMaster you can put your typing skills into practice after only three to five hours of training. As you learn to type more effectively, you concentrate less on finding the right keys, and concentrate more on the ideas that you need to communicate. Touch typists use their time more productively, and project a more professional image in their written communications.

“Whether you’re a business person who can increase your income by increasing your typing speed and accuracy, a student who wants to improve your grades by eliminating typos and increasing the quality of your writing, or a parent who wants a typing tutor that lets each family member receive personalized coaching, feedback, and statistics, TypingMaster has the tools that you need”, said Sean Griffin, Co-Founder of Learn Skills.

TypingMaster runs under Windows 95/98/Me/NT4/2000/XP/2003, and can be purchased as a single-user license through the Learn Skills platform.  TypingMaster is fully network-enabled with centralized user management. Multi-computer licenses for businesses and educational institutions are available supported by the Learn Skills LMS for monitoring and tracking user activity.