1. Skill of Using the
Blackboard
Dr. Vikramjit Singh
SXCE,Patna
श्यामपट्ट लेखन कौशल
2. Blackboard; word comes from its black color. It has flat surface feature and
can be a board made of wood or fiber, however the term today has started
changing and is called the chalkboard so long as chalks are being used..
According to Geoffrey-
“A blackboard is defined as a flat surface feature, it can be a board made
of wood, fiber or sometime made plastered on the wall of the class. The board
is painted black to reflect the white chalks used to write on it”
The blackboard was invented by James Pillans(1778-1864); headmaster of
Royal High school Edinburgh Scotland. There are also the evidence of first
use of chalkboard in Indian schools in the 11th century.
3. Benefits of Use of Blackboard
I. A good blackboard work brings about clarity in the
understanding of the concepts being taught through clear
visual presentation.
II. When the ideas are presented clearly without any
ambiguity or irrelevance on the blackboard, it reinforces
the matter which is being verbally conveyed by the
teacher.
III. If the blackboard is used throughout for developing a
lesson, a good work on it gives a holistic picture of the
lesson.
IV. A skilfully used blackboard work adds variety to the
lesson and draws attention of the pupils.
4. Components of the skill of using the Blackboard:
I. Legibility of handwriting
(ललखावट कक स्पष्टता)
II. Neatness in the blackboard work, and
(ललखावट में सफ़ाई/ पररशुद्धता )
III. Appropriateness of written work on the
blackboard
(श्यामपट्ट पर ललखी लवषयवस्तु की उपयुक्तता)
5. I. Legibility of Handwriting
a) Every letter should be distinct.
b) There should be adequate spacing between two
letters.
c) The slantness of each letter should be closest to
vertical.
d) The size of the letters should be large enough to
be read from far end of the room.
6. I. Legibility of Handwriting
e) The size of the capital letters should be bigger
than the small letters but not exaggerated to
form as an obstacle to reading.
f) All capital letters should be of same size and all
small letters should be of same size.
g) The thickness of the lines should be of same
width.
7. II. Neatness in the Blackboard work
a) Straightness of the lines- The written work has to be
horizontal parallel to the base of the blackboard.
b) There should be adequate spacing between the lines.
c) There should be no overwriting that makes blackboard
work untidy.
d) Relevant matter which is under focus of classroom
discussion should be retained on the black board.
8. III. Appropriateness of the work on the blackboard
a) Continuity in the points.
b) Brevity and Simplicity
c) Drawing attention and focusing. (Underline only
the main points and use colored chalks in drawing
and in writing to make the things distinctive. Avoid
unnecessary details.)
9. Points to be taken care of while using Blackboard.
i. Check the condition of the BB for its usability, like smoothness.
ii.Check the lighting(Not too bright, nor too dim)
iii.Check whether the BB is clean or not both before and after use.
iv.Keep required amount of white and coloured chalk before the class
begins.
v.Stand on one side of the BB and don’t come in between the students
and the BB written part.
vi.Use pointer if needed to explain the points especially the diagrams.
vii.Avoid squeaking noise of the chalk while writing on BB.
10. Points to be taken care of while using Blackboard.
viii.Press the chalk hard enough so as your writing is bright and visible
but not so hard that it strains your fingers.
ix. Clean the BB using duster and avoid too much of dust. It is suggested
to move your hands downwards and upwards to clean the matter on
the BB.
x. Avoid committing mistakes while writing on the BB.
xi. Keep on checking the students’ attention while you write on BB.
Stand at 45◦ while writing and keep on speaking the matter to keep
check on the students as well as to assist them in writing.
xii. Use it for summarization of the chapter too, and while summarising
use the points with brevity and simplicity.