ICT from the front of the class

Boote, Ian and Ward-Penny, Robert (2019). ICT from the front of the class. In: Lee, Clare and Ward-Penny, Robert eds. A Practical Guide to Teaching Mathematics in the Secondary School (Second Edition). Routledge, pp. 27–37.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351060714-5

Abstract

Information and communication technology (ICT) has much to offer mathematics teachers in school. Whatever teachers' previous experience with technology, there is a wealth of accessible and effective ways to use ICT from the front of the class to enhance teachers' explanations and promote learning. In many classrooms the use of ICT has been based around the projection of information and illustrations using presentation software such as Microsoft PowerPoint. However, when teacher reflect on it, a static, largely text-based presentation is unlikely to excite pupils even if it helps teacher to remember points in teachers' lessons. After projectors, interactive whiteboards are perhaps the most familiar ICT devices in the mathematics classroom. Interactive whiteboards usually come with their own built-in software which allows the user to write and manipulate objects on the board. The main advantage of using built-in software over presentation software is that it allows objects to be more freely manipulated on the board.