Towards development of an effective low-cost interactive whiteboard for promoting student engagement in sociology courses

Abstract

Interactive whiteboards (IWBs) can be a great asset to teachers trying to help students visualize what they are trying to teach, especially for supporting instructors and teams of students in class. However, commercial IWBs can be costly and difficult to operate. This paper describes the development of a low-cost IWB using a video game controller and “homebrew” infrared pens, and how its usability and technology acceptance will be tested in the context of sociology courses. We propose that the use of low-cost and highly-usable technologies in sociology courses may enhance student learning outcomes and retention rates as a way to fit the learning needs of students and supporting them in the engagement of critical thinking.