Feature Stories

Interactive electronic whiteboards offer new learning opportunities

Five brand-new electronic whiteboards are the newest addition to technology equipment available for students at the Heartspring School. These interactive boards offer teachers and staff members new and compelling ways to present ideas and engage students in active learning.

An electronic whiteboard is an easy-to-use, interactive surface that is connected to a computer and audio-visual system. Whiteboards act as touch-sensitive screens allowing users to operate software and access internet-based resources. Using a stylus, operators can manipulate objects on the screen just as if they were sitting at a computer. Our whiteboards are also connected to remote user tablets which allow teachers and therapists to guide students through activities and presentations.

Each of the new whiteboards are four feet by five and half feet and are mounted on the walls in three classrooms and two conference rooms. Teachers can use the system to instruct one student or present lessons and activities to an entire class. Several Heartspring School students access reading and math software and internet-based lessons on the whiteboards. “The students are more engaged and more interested in what they are doing when they use the whiteboard,” said Heartspring School teacher Sylvia Jimenez-Borst. The whiteboards also save student work allowing teachers to review, share progress with family members and print snapshots of accomplishments.

Therapists, educators and staff members use the whiteboards in group meetings to access and review student data. This important application enables staff to actively collaborate as they monitor students’ progress toward their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals.

Lindsay Randle, Heartspring director of school therapies, created a unique, interactive whiteboard presentation to help a student recognize and understand voice volume. This activity is just one example of personalized whiteboard applications teachers and therapists can design to specifically address student needs and make learning fun.

The whiteboards also serve as the focal point during classroom social time. Students gather around the whiteboards as teachers project educational programs and movies onto the screen. This activity gives students an opportunity to learn how to share space and interact with each other as they enjoy their favorite videos.

The purchase and installation of the whiteboards was made possible through the generosity of the Kansas State Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) philanthropic organization and McClelland Sound. ESA adopted the whiteboard project as their 2006-2007 fundraising initiative for Heartspring. Joy Thornbrugh, the 2006-2007 Epsilon Sigma Alpha Kansas 2nd Vice President said, “The whiteboard project was near and dear to my heart since I am a retired computer science professor and know how important technology is in helping students to understand and visualize concepts.”

The hard work and commitment of ESA resulted in a donation of over $16,000 in support of this project. Pat Josey, the current Epsilon Sigma Alpha Kansas 2nd Vice President, said, “ESA members are dedicated to the students at Heartspring and viewed the whiteboard project as a great addition to the resources offered at the school. We are proud to be part of the project.”

Wichita-based McClelland Sound donated one of the whiteboards in addition to installing each of the five whiteboard systems which includes the whiteboard, a projector, an audio amplifier, speakers, a remote user tablet and software. “We are grateful to ESA and Matt Wunderlich at McClelland Sound for embracing this project and supporting our efforts for classroom innovation,” said Leigh Horsley, Heartspring director
of development.

For many years, Heartspring has been committed to applying technology in ways that help children with special needs learn and grow. According to Heartspring chief innovation officer Chris Vacek, “Electronic whiteboards are one step toward our goal of becoming a technology-rich, productivity enhanced Heartspring. These whiteboards offer our students new opportunities to learn in multimedia-rich, engaging ways that foster outcome achievement and continued interest, while our teachers can simultaneously record data and access limitless web-based resources. The whiteboards are a crucial nexus between Heartspring programs and student outcomes.”

You can read more about how Heartspring is using technology to help create successful outcomes for children with special needs at www.heartspring.org.