Chalkboards had many, many flaws. For one, they were prone to professors absent-mindingly backing into them and inadvertently wiping off half the lesson with their tweed jackets.
But those days are gone. Take Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law, which is is going high-tech with digital whiteboards. The new technology-enhanced feature provides collaborative space for faculty and students.
Several classrooms are being upgraded with an interactive 3LCD projector system, which allows content to be displayed on the whiteboard and annotated using a finger touch or gesture. The content can be saved, printed or emailed without using a computer.
Lessons saved! Forever! And no more chalk dust!
“This is an opportunity to transform the classroom into an interactive hub of academic learning,” said FAMU College of Law Interim Dean LeRoy Pernell. “Greater access to technology can result in a more valuable college experience.”
Faculty members are being trained to use the high-tech whiteboard which allows instructors to insert images, powerpoint presentations, and other documents onto the whiteboard for the lecture of the day. Students can also use a password to connect to the whiteboard and insert images, answer questions, or copy the presentation without taking notes. The system also supports distance learning.
“The whiteboard technology has been an exciting addition to the classroom environment as it has increased student engagement and enhanced the quality of the sound legal education that the College of Law provides.” said FAMU Law Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law Nicola Boothe.
