Mini Whiteboards

I have been using mini whiteboards (MWBs) in my class for a couple of years. And I will talk to anyone who will listen about the impact on teaching and learning. I have a class set of MWBs , pens and erasers and I give them out and collect them at the start and end of every lesson. This allows me to interact with every student at the beginning of the lesson. 

We always have a drawing challenge. Some drawings from the ‘draw Mrs MacDonald’ challenge are shown below. Other challenges have been -  draw something you do in the sun, something starting with G, something from outer space, your favourite food, something that flies, something that has 2 legs, something that is magical… 

Many students do their working out on the whiteboards. I also use the whiteboards to get feedback on my teaching. Students have reflected on their learning and written this on the MWBs. The whiteboards are an ‘all response’ technique. If I ask a question, it allows all students to write their answer on the MWB and show this to everyone. There can be a tendency to only call on the students with their hands up…this way all students get a voice in the classroom. Using whiteboards is also ‘low-stakes.’ The responses on the whiteboard are not collected and assessed, students can erase and re-write answers, encouraging ‘having a go’ and learning from mistakes.  

I asked my students why the whiteboards were so good and of course they wrote their responses on the MWBs. Here is what they said: 

Using whiteboards in class is beneficial for me because I can better visualize graphs and concepts when I do it myself and I can better sum up tricks, formulae and definitions. 

Whiteboards can be better than paper to do working out for maths questions. Plus they allow you to draw during class. 

Whiteboards allow me to solve equations without the permanency of pen and paper. This stops me from feeling ‘blocked’ in Maths. I also enjoy the drawing challenge at the beginning of each class. 

I can take notes in a fun way. It’s good for brain break. Makes it easy to draw up diagrams and graphs.  

Good way to start our brain without diving straight into work like all other classes and it’s a bit of fun. 

It’s a good way to start the class/positive energy and fun. 

Provides a different way to learn and get into the class. 

Helps us engage in class as soon as we walk into the room. 

Helps the class learn from mistakes and drafting work before it goes into our books. 

Can take notes/draw graphs easier and erase any mistakes. They make it easier to share notes with peers and teacher for feedback.  

Gives us an easier way to take down the notes including equations and diagrams and actually motivates us to take in the lesson. Easier to erase and re-write.

Drawing at the start of the lessons are fun. It’s good for people who need to fidget.  

The whiteboards help us learn as we are able to take notes as well as equations and diagrams. They also help us have fun and encourage us to do more work, especially when we draw at the start of the class.  

Kelli MacDonald 

Assistant Principal