Smart+Boards

SmartBoard


 * =Technology Resources =

Smart Boards or interactive whiteboards as they are also known offer an interactive learning experience for students. Smart Boards allow teachers to not only project what is on their computer screen on to the board, but to control the screen from the board, and use the Smart Board "markers" to write on the screen as well. Teachers can use this technology to actively engage students to participate in lessons. For example while presenting a PowerPoint presentation the teacher can intentionally leave blanks that students have to come to the board and fill out, or during geography a teacher can use Google Earth directly from the Smart Board and bring the world to life for the students instead of simply showing them the country on a flat on dimensional map.

=__Getting Started __=

Once the projector and Smart Board have been professionally installed instructors can reference the manual that comes with the board for operational directions. The most important thing for teachers to become familiar with is the software which is used on the board. It is the software that comes along with the board that will truly allow instructors to take full advantage of the interactive capabilities that the board possess. To truly take full advantage of the tool it may be necessary to take a class or seminar which teaches instructors how to master the board and its software, if enough teachers are interested a school district might bring in an expert to train teachers on Smart Board use. Also, a lot can be learned by simply "playing" with the board and not being afraid to try new things when using it




 * Replacement Ideas

Smartboards can do so much its hard to know how much they can truly replace in the classroom. For starters though they replace the traditional white board and can provide interactive lessons for the students. They also replace the traditional projector screen as they can be used to show movies from DVD/VHS as well as on the web. There is a multitude of templates for teachers to use on Smartboards: math games, maps for geography and social studies, as well as English and grammar games and interactive templates.

The article below highlights some of the benefits of having an interactive white board in the classroom. The article gives ideas for working the new technology into the classroom curriculum. This article also tells about the effort to get interactive white boards into classrooms across the country. The various different brands of boards are looked at and discussed. 
 * =Research =

Starkman, N. (2006). The Wonders of Interactive Whiteboards. //T.H.E. Journal//, 33(10), 36-38. Retrieved from EBSCO//host//.
 * References**