A self-confessed "technophobe", Simon Botten had never owned a PC until he began using his classroom computer as an NQT. Now he's a primary school deputy headteacher and has been an ICT subject leader for seven years.
Simon became involved in the development of ICT within the curriculum as an NOF trainer for the SWIFT/GWIST training consortium six years ago. He delivers seminars at regional and national ICT events and will be contributing to this year's BETT show.
When you first come to install interactive whiteboards there are a few things to consider:
Horses for courses
Choosing a whiteboard really depends on the needs of your school. Most whiteboards are either operated by a finger and have a soft surface or by an electromagnetic pen and have a hard surface. Both types have pros and cons so visiting other schools to see which will suit you best is a great idea
Location, location, location
Consider if large windows require blinds for sunny days and the height of those viewing the board - children and staff. Remember that a board and extra equipment will require as many as six power sockets nearby.
Think about the area around the board. On either side of the board, I have two waist high units, one is for my laptop so I and the children can type onto the board while looking into the class. On the other is my visualiser or document camera. This allows easy access to the board, but is flexible and allows for other approaches
Get to know your new board
The installation company should offer you basic training on the software which operates with your board. Consider whether this software offers the tools and resources to enable you to teach effectively. Look around and see what is available before deciding.
Accept that, although initial gliches may happen, they are often easily rectified
It's not a flip chart, so don't pretend it is
Don't be tempted to settle into a routine of creating a series of slides for you to talk about. If you would not have done it with traditional resources, don't do it now. Try to justify the learning aim of each slide
Make sure your lesson is interactive
Think about where it is appropriate to make pages, or slides, interactive. This could involve children coming out to manipulate some text or a diagram, or typing directly into the PC/laptop. A good, whizzy maths game with things flying around and going bang at the beginning of a numeracy lesson, will certainly get your children's attention
Images, images, images
Images are powerful learning tools. The software which runs on your board will allow you to import saved images from your computer or copy and paste images from the web. I try to start every lesson with an image which the children can make some kind of emotional connection
Get online
Having the laptop or PC connected to your board online is a must. There is now an extensive range of whiteboard resources available online. A good place to start is the National Whiteboard Network (details can be found in our Best of the Web section). Don't forget to check that the font size on any websites you use are big enough to be read at the back of the class
Mix and match resources
Different learning requires different resources, not all of which suit the whiteboard software alone. Websites, text documents, multimedia files, CD-ROMs and DVDs can all enhance the learning experience. By adding hyperlinks within your main whiteboard software you can move between websites, programmes or media by simply clicking on an icon
Video and audio
A port will be installed next to your board to allow you to attach your video player to the board and could you be used for Teachers' TV programmes and clips. Many can be incorporated into whiteboard presentations and can really clarify difficult points. Clips from your own digital video camera can also be easily incorporated
The power of peripherals
Using data-loggers, digital video cameras, voting systems and scanners with your whiteboard can take your lessons to very exciting places. Document cameras, or visualisers, are extremely powerful when used with a whiteboard. They project anything placed under them onto the board, so children's work, a text book or even a woodlouse is immediately visible to all in amazing detail
Whiteboard Tips
Check out the following programmes for more tips and to see Simon using his interactive whiteboard:
Primary ICT - Advanced Whiteboard Techniques Strategies to get the most out of whiteboards 
Primary ICT - Creating a Whiteboard Lesson Whiteboard ideas for teachers just getting started 
Top Tips Using interactive whiteboards effectively 
KS2 History - The Tudors using ICT 2 A review of the effectiveness of the previous history lesson 
KS2 History - The Tudors using ICT 1 History and technology come together in this lesson on Henry VIII