Primary and Early Years > Technology > Presentation and display technologies

P4: Evaluating the contribution which an interactive whiteboard can make to improving letter formation in the reception class
Author: Lynn Skinner, Class Teacher, Hunwick Primary, Durham
Date: 2005

Summary

The teacher investigated the impact of using an interactive whiteboard on the letter formation of three boys, who had good reasoning and verbal communication skills but poor letter formation skills. The teacher modelled letter formation on the interactive whiteboard, which was also used to display software programs and multimedia phonic children's worksheets. Observation indicates that the uses of an interactive whiteboard only resulted in a slight improvement in the pupils' letter formation, but did have a positive effect on the motivation and enjoyment of both the teacher and the pupils.

Methodology

The nursery nurse made written observations and took photographs of the children being taught phonics using an interactive whiteboard. The teacher conducted interviews with the children afterwards, and also observed them while the nursery nurse taught them phonics without the use of ICT.

Findings

Comparison of the boys' writing at the beginning and the end of the week when the interactive whiteboard was used indicated a slight, but not significant, improvement in their letter formation.

Use of the interactive whiteboard seemed to produce greater motivation in the children to understand letter sounds. It may, the teacher hypothesises, help children who do not have good fine motor skills.

Observation showed that all the children enjoyed the interactive whiteboard, and the teacher reported that she herself felt more enthusiastic.

The teacher's reflections and observations of the nursery nurse indicate that having an adult to support and encourage individual pupils is the most significant factor in developing good letter formation.

> Download this research: PDF - Microsoft Word