A futuristic vision has inspired Oakbank teachers to boldly go where no blackboard has gone before.

Information technology teachers at the Oakworth Road school have this

term started teaching with the aid of three high-tech SMART boards.

The electronic boards, the size of a conventional blackboard, have revolutionised teaching in the school's IT department and it is hoped they will be introduced throughout the school.

IT Teacher John Heath - above - says: "Instead of having to get small groups of pupils around a computer to have a look at what I'm doing I can demonstrate what I'm doing to the whole class.

"As a result I spend a lot longer at the front teaching the whole group than I used to do."

Using a standard computer and a digital projector the computer screen's image is projected onto the SMART board. Then, using his finger as a mouse pointer and four coloured 'pens' Mr Heath is able to teach the lesson on the board making use of all of the programmes commonly found on PCs.

"It's so good for being able to point out what keys to press and where to go to on the screen.

"The classroom is a lot quieter because there are fewer pupils struggling because they have already seen what to do," says Mr Heath.

Oakbank main site has three of the £3,500 systems and two more are planned for top-site.

Mr Heath says: "I would like to see a small IT suite in every subject area."