Lapboards
Does anyone out there use these things? We’re basically talking about small-sized whiteboards that you have students write on, so that they can show you their work or response to a question. Presumably this is better than writing on paper because they can express their idea without the commitment of using a piece of paper, and you can have them hold up the boards and show you their answers. Each student gets to “write on the board” without being put on the spot in front of the class.
I had a fellow teacher request these, and I’m trying to find a good source for them. Cheap, but good quality. And then I started thinking… should I get a set of them also?
[Update: I have it on good authority that you can buy 4′x8′ melamine panels as either tileboard or tilepanel at Home Depot for under $20, and they will cut them up for you for a small fee. That would allow you to make a set of 32 foot-square boards (minus the kerf of the blade) for under a buck each. I’ll let you know when I get around to doing this.]
The entire math dept at my school uses them. Their source is one of these big box home improvement stores, either orange or blue. You can get huge sheets of the dry erase board material cut into smaller pieces. It saves a bunch of money when compared with purchasing a bunch of individual ready-made boards. They then have the kids being in an old sock at the beginning of the year that stays tied to their desk year-round.
Chris
Comment by Chris Craft — February 12, 2007 @ 5:01 am
I use these constantly in my algebra classes. My students seem to like it because it feels less like work, and I like it because I can see what they’re doing a lot more easily (I only get the huge chisel-tip whiteboard markers, so they have to write largely and clearly.) With younger grades (6th and 7th), I don’t have good enough classroom control to let everyone use a whiteboard at once, but I’ll have one per row that gets passed back after each problem, so I can at least see 6 people’s work on every problem.
I agree with Chris on the source and the school purchases my black off-brand dry erase markers 3 dozen at a time. I’ve gone through 2 boxes so far this year. I’ve got small enough classes that kids either share a few erasers or use their (black) uniform sweatshirt sleeves.
I’m not sure it would be as helpful in a geometry classroom, but for an algebra class, definitely get a set!
Comment by Sara — February 12, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
Is it true that they are often basically showerboard that is cut up into suitable pieces?
Comment by H. — February 12, 2007 @ 5:57 pm
What problem does the lapboard solve, exactly? Mrc mentions using them instead of a piece of paper. But why not just use a piece of paper for the same purpose? If you want to write an answer, just take out an old-fashioned pen/pencil and a piece of paper, write on it, and hold it up. Use construction paper if regular paper is too flimsy. What advantage does the lapboard have over this?
Just mentally pricing this thing out, I can see that the reusability of a lapboard might come into play — you have to throw away/recycle a piece of paper once it’s used but the lapboard can be used over and over again. But then you have to purchase erasers which go bad; and you have to purchase those awful whiteboard markers which dry out after a few days, etc. so I wonder if lapboards are really less expensive in the long run.
I have to admit, it’s amusing to hear about this because it hearkens back to the one-room schoolhouse days when each child had a chalk tablet to write on. We’re really coming full circle!
Comment by Robert — February 13, 2007 @ 11:08 am
Theoretically, the idea is that you use these things multiple times every day. So as you go through the lecture, you have kids write responses to questions or problems on their lapboards. They hold them up to you, you look around and get a sense of the room, then you have them erase and move on to the next thing. I think people feel like it’s less wasteful if you’re going to do this 10 times in a lesson to use dry-erase than to use 10 pieces of construction paper. Perhaps students are more willing to commit their thoughts to writing if they know it’s painless to erase.
I think the problems it’s trying to solve are: 1. low student engagement with lecture, 2. lack of feedback to teacher during lecture with regard to whole-class understanding. Anyone else have ideas?
Comment by mrc — February 13, 2007 @ 11:34 am
I used a melamine white board for a while in my lap. After about 2 years of regular use it got harder and harder to clean. I believe it was replaced with a “real” white board after three years. It got us by in a pinch but I would not have wanted to use it forever. It may be an inexpensive enough solution that replacing the ones students use every other year or so may be practical if needed.
Comment by Alfred Thompson — February 13, 2007 @ 9:18 pm
I have a set of the boards which are helpful and the kids love them, but markers running out has been a problem. If anyone has tips on a brand, price, distributor, etc…
Comment by Mr. O — February 14, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
I’m not a math teacher; I am a Spanish teacher. However, I purchased a set of ten whiteboards from a teacher store about six years ago, and I use them often. When reviewing verb patterns, vocab., or doing listening activities, I find that the students are far more engaged. They also like to select from the many colors of markers I have, and to write on and erase the whiteboard. I use the Expo whiteboard cleaner and a paper towel to clean the whiteboards, which I do about once a week.
Comment by Miss Profe — February 26, 2007 @ 5:26 am
I’m a math teacher that would not think of not using whiteboards in my class daily. The students are more engaged and on task. It’s a quick and easy way to check for mastery. Not only can use purchase the clear boards but they also have graphing boards.
Comment by Bertha Bostic — May 22, 2008 @ 7:54 am