Never mind the technology, where’s the learning?

Following John Clare’s keynote at the recent Naace Conference, in the post this morning came news of just the tool to gladden his heart. The introductory letter with the product sheet, states:

“Please take a moment to consider a new product that is the perfect accompaniment to every new Promethean or Smartboard sold into school. With certain interactive whiteboards, the use of dry wipe pens is not recommended, so teachers cannot use them as a conventional whiteboard … the Learning with Linden CLEAR BLIND, … helps solve this dilemma. You may think this is not an issue … but many schools have requested that we come up with this very product and for the same reasons time after time.

“Teachers don’t want supply staff using their new interactives and particularly initially they prefer to be able to use the board as a conventional whiteboard too, whilst they get used to the new technology. This is why teachers have asked us to develop the Clear Blind.”

In addition, one of the benefits is, “you are able to draw, write or highlight on [the] blind whilst using the internet”.

Now maybe I’ve been in this game too long, but John Clare might well have a point when he said last week:

“Interactive whiteboards can be a useful classroom aid, but teachers will never have the time or skill to do more than scratch the surface of their potential”

So it seems that teachers themselves are requesting a solution to the dilemma of being asked to use interactive technology in their classroom, and Learning with Linden has come up with that solution. It’s rather like requesting a wooden box to put the telly in because you’re far more comfortable when listening to the radio … and as for supply teachers, clearly you don’t want them using your coloured chalk either, hopefully they’ve brought their own drywipe pens!

The CLEAR BLIND starts at £42.99 ex VAT, and can be found at Learning with Linden.