Description

This book reports on a qualitative study concerning
the use of Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) technology
in the teaching of English as a foreign language at
Lancaster University, UK. Its primary aim was to
throw light on the potential of IWB technology for
supporting language learning in the context in
question. The research findings reveal several
pedagogical benefits of using the IWB technology,
such as helping learners to adapt to novel ways of
teaching, learning and working in the information
technology society, and creating higher levels of
active learner participation. Research data also
indicate that the ACTIVote system, a learner
response system commonly used in conjunction with
IWB technology, constitutes an important tool for
implementing novel ways of assessing, engaging and
motivating students. The findings also show that the
pedagogical exploitation of IWB technology poses
many challenges for the classroom community,
involving adaptation to new ways of teaching and
learning. This book discusses these issues and
outlines the lessons learnt from the data in terms
of how to better exploit the potential of IWB
technology in the language classroom.