CHALKBOARDS AS AN INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL

Brief History of Chalkboard

James Pillan- invented blackboard in 1801.

Blackboard- is made from stone called slate.
Chalk- is made from calcium sulphate
In the early years of the twentieth century it was used in many schools. It came in different
colors like green, brown and black. In the fifties most of the blackboards were colored
green since researches have revealed that green is the color that gives a calming effect
for the eyes. The green color also avoids the eyes from getting fatigued.

Chalkboard

a smooth hard panel, usually green or black, for writing on with chalk; a black board.
this medium includes a large writing area, a writing substance (usually chalk), and an
eraser

Reasons Why Chalkboards are Color Green

By Kenny Leones | Submitted On December 23, 2009

1. Research revealed that the eyes of humans are very sensitive to anything that has green
color. Studies also showed that the eyes' retina has two kinds of cells for light namely,
rods and cones.
The rods are the ones that help us develop scotopic visions. This vision helps us in seeing
in a bright and dark room.
The part of our eye that recognizes colors are the cones. The green cones are very
sensitive to light and let our eyes get the best resolution, when we are looking or reading.

2. The fact that in many cultures around the world, this color is the symbol of hope. It is a
color that most teachers associate with growth as well. For education it means that
studying should have a big part of the growth process of every individual.

3. The rise of many groups all over the globe advocating for protection for the environment.
There was at time when the movement for going green became popular. All of those
movements also campaigned for the use of the color green.

4. Color green let the rooms have a minimal stark image. The chalk marks on the green
chalkboards are also not as obvious as to the black chalkboards. The people then started
calling it chalkboards instead of blackboards because it of the change in the color and
green became the official color in the fifties.

Advantages of Chalkboard

Availability. Most areas assigned for instruction are equipped with chalkboard. Also, if
more board space is needed, portable boards of various types and styles are handy.
-It is the most available instructional material which can be used in presenting the lesson.
-The chalkboard is inexpensive, especially when the usable life of the board is considered.
It is flexible in use in the sense that instructors may use it, learners may use it and changes
can be easily made through eraser.
-You can easily add or erase if you committed error or you forgot to write about the topic.
Space. Lots of writing space is usually provided.
-In showing solutions of the different mathematical problems, chalkboard is very useful to
show it systematically.
The chalkboard can be used to present more formally prepared lessons, or for informal,
spontaneous sessions.
-As a teacher uses the chalkboard in discussing the lesson, it enables the students to
follow and understand more the explained topic especially for those students who have
hearing disorder.
Ideas can be dealt with all levels from facts to concepts, from cognitive to affective
learning.
-By using chalkboard, the teacher can write the important information about the topic.
 -Various colored chalk can be used to develop the topic, show parts or build associations.
A point-by-point outline of a presentation can be made on the spot with diagrams, charts
and other accentuation drawn at the appropriate moment.
-The teacher can illustrate/draw figures and highlight these drawings by using colored
chalks.
The visual communication of the chalkboard directs attention of the class to the purposes
of the lecture or discussion.
-Through chalkboard, the students can improve or develop their thinking ability and
visualize their own ideas.
Ideas or topics suggested in discussion can be listed on the board, reorganized, deleted,
added to, and put in final form.
Test or discussion questions can be put on the board and covered up before the class
assembles, the revealed at the appropriate time. This can save on time and cost of
duplication materials.
-You can write important events such as holidays, assignments and other information that
serve as reminder for students.
A number of learners can do practice or drill work on the board at one time, allowing the
instructor to give feedback immediately.
-Using chalkboard, the students can improve their handwriting or penmanship.

Disadvantages of Chalkboard

The chalkboards carries with a temporariness. Material put on the board cannot be saved
or made permanent.
-You cannot save the writings or visual materials posted on the board.
Teacher with a short height may not be able to use the chalkboard in a maximum way.
-Chalkboards are often fixed in such a way that they are not always at a comfortable height
for all potential users.
Being fixed, chalkboards can put restrictions on the use of classroom space and
classroom activities as learners need to be placed when they can see the boards.
-Chalkboards is not applicable in dark areas and is not appropriate for students having
visual impairments.
With age, use of certain types of chalk, and/or improper cleaning practices, boards can
become cloudy as retain chalk dust.
Some instructors are psyched-out of using the board because they feel a lack of artistic
ability.
Motion cannot easily be shown.
-It cannot show motion to discuss a process.
A teachers handwriting or spelling deficiencies are most obvious when using the
chalkboard.
-It can cause misconception or misunderstanding if it is not used properly. Chalkboard
work can be messy.

Application

Be prepared. See that the chalkboard and erasers are properly cleaned and maintained.
-Ensure that chalk is available insufficient quantity; learners get very tired watching
instructors search constantly during class for a piece of chalk (or eraser).
Plan what you are going to write on the board.
-Keep writing to a minimum by using key words or conceptual diagrams; and develop
topics by using the board from left to right and top to bottom.
Keep writing: neat; large, heavy and high enough to be visible by all; brief; and specific
Practice writing and/or printing in a straight line.
Use yellow chalk on a green board, white on a black board, etc.
If your chalk squeaks, simply break the piece in half.
Learn to stand and/or move around so you do not block the view of learners as you use
the board.
-Avoid writing and talking into the board at the same time.
Put the chalk down when you are through writing. This reduces the chances for distraction
caused by playing with the chalk.
Use the eraser to remove errors or make changes. Using your hands only smears the
chalk and may deposit oil on the board, which can serve as a dust collector.
 In erasing the writings on the board, use a down-sweep erasing motion. Erasing the board
with side-to-side motion only enables the learners to observe (from a most unflattering
angle) the instructor doing something resembling the Twist. It also causes chalk-dust
particles to fly into the air instead of into the collector tray.
When you are through with the material, erase it completely so that it will not serve as a
distraction while the next topic is being considered.
Intersperse writing on the board with questions or verbal emphasis. Keep the class aware
of what is being put on the board and why.
-If important drawings or maps are needed on the board, a instructor is wise to save time
by:
-Doing them before class, and
-Copying a projection on the board (from a filmstrip, slide, or opaque projector) rather than
free-handing it.
Chalkboards etiquette: if someone will be using the board after you, please dont leave it
for him/her to erase. Its nice to clean the eraser against the board as well.