Interactive whiteboards are used in classrooms all over the United States. These whiteboards are used in many ways to enhance learning. The whiteboards help save districts money due to the fact that they do not have to print as many worksheets. Teachers are also about to use active software to save copies of their lessons for students that may have missed the lesson. The interactive whiteboards also allow for lesson that enhance classroom experiences. For instance, the whiteboards can be used to virtually travel to other countries and can be used to communicate with other across the globe.
The R.A.T. model is a model used within education to explain how technology is being used in a classroom. The model explains how teachers are using technology within the classroom. Technology is used to replace, amplify, or transform learning. The R.A.T. model can easily explain how interactive whiteboards are used within the classroom setting.
R: Replacement
The ‘R’ stands for replacement. This is when educators use technology to replace instruction. For instance, if a mathematics teacher uses the promethean board or interactive whiteboard to display a problem. They have simply used the board as a replacement for a worksheet or a replacement for writing on the white board. The technology really does not enhance the lesson, but rather works as a replacement for something else. It does not enhance the learning in any way. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Using technology instead of paper can be beneficial and save a vast amount of money. It also gives the teacher the opportunity to print class notes for those who may be absent or for students whose IEPs require guided notes. The technology simply replaces paper-based instruction.
A: Amplification
The ‘A’ stands for amplification. When amplification occurs the educator is using technology to enhance and amplify the lesson. If the mathematics teacher uses the promethean board to solve a problem using digital base ten blocks that break apart. This would enhance the lesson. Students would now be able to work out the problem and see how that converts into concrete objects. The task stays “the same while the technology extends our capabilities in effectiveness (Hughes, 2018).” The interactive whiteboard or promethean board is used to extend learning to help students enhance understanding.
T: Transformation
The ‘T’ stands for transformation. Transformation is when technology enhances learning and “reinvents aspects of instruction, learning, or curriculum in new and original ways (Hughes, 2018).” The technology is used to have students think critically and problem-solve. The interactive whiteboard can be used here for groups to come together to solve a problem. They may have many different digital tools to use to come to find their answer. Teachers can also use digital apps to enhance technology to move them to the transformational stage. It does not have to be a simple problem on the board.
Technology Tips for Interactive Whiteboards
When using an interactive whiteboard there are numerous sites teachers can use. Almost any technology, software, or website can be used along with the interactive whiteboard depending on the subject area being taught. Below is a list of suggestions and the curriculum the would enhance.
| Curriculum/Content | Website suggestions |
| English | http://www.eslgamesworld.com/- This website was created for English Language Learners. However, it is a wonderful tool for students to practice grammar skills. There are many games on irregular and regular verbs, tense, and vocabulary. |
| Math | https://www.mathplayground.com/ – This website contains many interactive math games that can be used on the interactive whiteboard for guided learning. Students could also use these within the computer lab for independent learning and lesson enhancement.
https://www.khanacademy.org/ – Khan Academy is a wonderful tool to enhance lessons. It offers virtual lessons, practice problems, and interactive learning. |
| Geography | https://www.google.com/earth/ – Using this website and interactive GPS tool, students can travel to any place in the world. This will allow them to experience different cultures and see different landscapes without leaving the classroom.
https://geoguessr.com/- This is a fun interactive GPS learning tool. The game shows students somewhere in the world/US or a particular region and students must guess where it is based on the clues given within the landscape. It helps students learn about physical features around the world. |
Hughes, J. (2018). R.A.T. Model. Retrieved from http://techedges.org/r-a-t-model/.
761 Informational Technology in the School Library 
Before getting new projectors for our Promethean boards this year, I honestly used it as a glorified dry erase board. I had the older classroom where the pen didn’t work and the connections were lacking at best. When I moved to the library this year, I quickly learned that many of the boards in my school were in the same disrepair. Several months ago, a team came in and replaced all of our projectors. Wow! What a difference an upgrade makes. We have two interactive pens which allow multiple students to work on the board at one time. I am still learning, slowly but surely, what all these boards have to offer. Interactive boards definitely make learning a better overall experience.
Jayme Live
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I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but: I sound ancient. I used to think myself as a young librarian, someone who had just been to school and was still experienced and aware enough to be able to tap into the technology of now as if it was yesteryear. In fact, I wonder at all the changes that have been made, and am very interested in this new whiteboard. I forget what they were called, but we had something similar, something we all thought was so innovative and unique, well before iPads and even the modern iPhone. We struggled to have anything written down, and while the benefits were circling and pointing out issues with the websites and things we used like documents, the struggles with getting the technology to work often did not outweigh the benefits. Therefore, I would really love to see and experiment with certain technology like this now, as it has to have improved.
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Hi Erin,
I love how you gave multiple different ways interactive whiteboards can be used in the classroom, multiple different types of classrooms. The R.A.T. works great to give teachers and librarians a sense of how it works. I work in a school with differing levels of interactive boards (since they’re trying to replace all the boards for one type), and it does work well and in different ways depending on which classroom the students are in. The library has one of the nice boards, and I think it could definitely be used in some great ways!
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i love your accent hahaha my guess is you are from germany anyways i loved the article everything works very well
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It combines fun with learning: The process of playing rummy to win is really a learning experience specifically in relation to its planning
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Thanks for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts
and I will be waiting for your further post thanks once again.
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