Progetto Italiano Q & A

Frequently Asked Questions What is the Interactive Whiteboard?

The Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) is essentially a technologically advanced version of the standard whiteboard commonly used in schools. It consists of a white surface connected to a computer and a video projector, which in turn are connected to each other. The IWB can be used to listen to audio, watch video clips, perform interactive exercises, take notes and create new teaching programmes which can be saved and reused on other occasions, with adjustments made to suit the requirements of the new class. In this regard, the IWB is a whiteboard with a memory.

If the computer is connected to the Internet, the IWB has even greater potential and is even more engaging.

Can I make a school whiteboard interactive?

Inexpensive pieces of equipment are available which, when connected to a normal video projector, make any surface interactive. There are also projectors which offer the same function but do not require any other devices in order to work; these are more practical but also more expensive.

Do we involve students more with the IWB, or is it just another way of teaching traditional classes with a touch of extra technology thrown in?

Using the IWB brings the student even closer to the centre of his/her own learning process, and every lesson can become a unique experience.

The student, who will come across approaches and methods with which he/she is familiar (links, multimedia materials etc.) in the classroom, is not only required to carry out the suggested activities interactively, but can in turn expand upon what he/she has learnt in a creative manner.

Plus, the educational games ensure he/she learns by having fun, and in particular by working with his/her classmates. In fact, many activities have been developed specifically to be carried out in groups, so as to create widespread involvement, interaction and greater teamwork between all students. Other individual exercises can be carried out by the students on the whiteboard.

What is the difference between the interactive CD-ROM and the IWB software?

The Nuovo Progetto Italiano interactive CD-ROM is especially designed and created for individual use, at home or ― more rarely ― in the classroom, and is aimed at active study and the reinforcement of structures learnt during the lesson. In fact it covers the information provided in the Nuovo Progetto Italiano 1 and 2 Student’s book, with the contents slightly altered.

The IWB, on the other hand, is designed to present the exact content of the Student’s book in the classroom and offers an entire series of tools and features used to underline, take notes, write, draw and highlight or isolate sections of text, tables or other elements. This means the available material is adaptable, flexible and customisable.

What does the Edilingua software offer me?

First and foremost, the IWB software for Edilingua language courses places the entire textbook, including audio clips and all activities, at the disposal of teacher and students alike. There is also a range of supplementary materials: videos, online exercises and the Teacher’s guide, as well as educational games and extra activities. These are all on a single digital support: this makes using the various content a much more practical and immediate process.

Plus, the Edilingua IWB software gives the teacher an opportunity to create his/her own activities.

Why should I use an Interactive Whiteboard to teach Italian as a foreign language?

Multimedia aids are particularly useful in learning a foreign language and interactivity increases the students’ cognitive efficiency. The IWB saves time when preparing and conducting new teaching programmes.

Thanks to the IWB, students share the educational material displayed on a single common workspace. This increases motivation and concentration within the class and facilitates interaction between students.

If I stop using my chalk, how can I illustrate examples and explain complex grammatical or lexical phenomena during my lessons?

A specific function in the Edilingua IWB software menu lets you open new blank pages (or simply cover any pages of the book which may prove distracting), onto which you can write notes and annotations that can be memorised, then retrieved and reused at a later date with another class.

It is also possible to use the highlighter, various colours and several lines to underline text on the projected pages of the book and focus attention on specific words or expressions. The options are endless; all you need is a little imagination and the desire to experiment with consistently different solutions.

Does the IWB replace the textbook?

No, absolutely not! This is because not all the sections in the book – for example the Grammar Appendix - are included in the IWB. The Workbook, fundamental for full knowledge acquisition, has also been omitted. The physical printed book is therefore still the essential point of reference for the lesson, as the IWB would not be sufficient without it. The technology supplements the content of the printed book to make it more dynamic and interactive. It is generally advisable to alternate activities in the book with activities to be carried out on the IWB.

Is the IWB not more suited to children and teenagers?

The IWB offers cognitive and motivational benefits. The teaching method, based on interaction and interactivity, is suitable for all students, whatever their age. This is why Edilingua has created various types of software for the IWB, adjusting the activities and activity types based on the group of students at which the corresponding textbook is aimed. The IWB engages both adults and adolescents more effectively while improving concentration.

Can I use the Edilingua software if I don't have an Interactive Whiteboard?

Yes, the software can be installed on any computer and can be used in conjunction with its keyboard and mouse, all you need is a basic video projector. In this case, however, you will lose the main feature of the IWB, as the intrinsic participation logic and group interactivity offered through application on a larger surface in the classroom will not be available.

Can I add or create new activities which I have devised myself?

The new-generation Edilingua IWB software is an open system and allows the teacher to create his/her own activities on the basis of pre-existing models and types. The teacher can use the “create new activities� feature to quickly and easily devise new activities. All activities can then be saved and stored, then modified and implemented with new elements (photos, audio clips, links) included as necessary for re-use with other classes in future.

With which Interactive Whiteboard brands is this software compatible?

The Edilingua software can be used on any type of interactive whiteboard, including the most widely used brands, such as Smart, Promethean, Mimio, etc. It is also compatible with the most commonly used operating systems, Windows and Macintosh.

Is it easy to use?

Is there a guide?

The Edilingua IWB has a very intuitive interface, but a PDF has nevertheless been created to provide in-depth information regarding all its features. It is available in Italian and English and can be downloaded directly from the IWB itself. This guide is also available online, at www.edilingua.it, for anyone wishing to familiarise themselves with this tool before purchasing it.

Do you have any other questions? Write us!