EFFECTIVE USE OF THE
BLACKBOARD/WHITEBOARD
BY: MARISOL BARRAZA
THE BOARD
• One of the most useful of all visual aids
• Always available
• Use for various purposes
PURPOSE
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Make things clearer to the class
Help to focus the attention
Present new words
Show how structures are formed
Show spelling
Provide a model for handwriting
Prompts for practice
Provide a visual summary of the entire
lesson
MEETING THE PURPOSES
Requires:
1. Advance planning
2. A lesson plan is not complete until it also
contains an explicit blackboard plan.
EFFECTIVE USE
Develop good basic techniques:
• For writing on the board
• Organizing the layout of what we
write
How to write effectively on the board
1. Write clearly
• Large enough to read from the back of the class
2. Write in a straight line
• This is easy if you write across a section of the board
and not across the whole board
3. Stand in a way that does not hide the board
• Stand sideways-half facing the board and half facing
the class
• Fully extent your arm
4. Talk as you write
• Say aloud what you are writing phrase by phrase
• Involve the class (ask them to suggest what to write)
THE LAYOUT
1. The topic of the lesson should be centered on the
board
2. Key vocabulary should be written on the sides.
STRUCTURES
1. Underline, use arrows, and numbers to draw
attention to important features.
2. Use different color chalk or markers to highlight
important items
3. Use substitution tables to teach structures
TIPS
• When using tables to explain structures, write them
in advance.
• Draw simple drawings to increase the interest of a
lesson. (visual learners)
• Space the amount of content. Don’t clutter your
board too much.
• Charts and tables help organize information
• Write clearly, legibly and keep the font size
reasonable. Bigger is better.
• Give students time to copy. Don’t erase too quickly.
• Have blackboard monitors or helpers. Kids love to
erase the board!
EVALUATING THE BLACKBOARD
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
1. Is it easy for the students and the teacher to
follow the flow of the lesson?
2. Is it logically and coherently organized in order
to help students´understand the lesson?
3. Is the goal and task of the lesson clear on the
board?
4. Are the materials presented on the board
meaningful and effective for the
students´understanding of the lesson?