Approaches and results of two EU projects promoting effective interactive whiteboard use in language and vocational education

In the present study we provide an overview of the strategies and instruments to support teacher training and development produced by two European project initiatives both striving to promote effective use of interactive whiteboards in variety of subject areas and educational sectors. The two European projects involved, both funded within the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Commission, are: Interactive Technologies in Language Teaching (iTILT) and Supporting Continuous Professional Development of VET teachers in the use of Interactive Whiteboards (SmartVET). We will outline both projects and report more in detail on the outcomes and recommendations resulting from the needs analysis on which both projects have based the designs of their training models and material. Other results reported include the training practices and resources that were developed, including i) online training through more than 250 video clips of IWB practice reports from classrooms in six European countries, some 30 instructional video clips and the provision of additional resources, ii) paper-based training in the form of handbooks with realistic model materials. We conclude by summarizing the project related research and discussing evaluative data provided by the teachers and the reflections by the trainers / researchers.