Should your software speak
4
Using an interactive white board
The government is encouraging teachers to use ICT as a normal part of their teaching. The interactive white provides an ideal opportunity for this. You can set up the white board so that it shows the authoring software you want the children to use. You can then use the white board to demonstrate the different authoring functions.
Once you have done this you can tell the class what you want to do and ask them for instructions as to what you should do. And you can ask children to come to the front of the class to 'have a go' for themselves. If they get stuck you can ask the class for instructions that will help them. This will lead to familiarity with the authoring software and build children's confidence both in using the software for themselves but also in helping one another.
It is possible to carry out this exercise with a laptop computer and linked to a data projector but this sometimes requires the room to be dimmed, which can inhibit question answer sessions between you and your class.