Journal Eight: The Use of SMARTBoards in the Classroom (No more chalk stains!)
Classroom 2.0
Retrieved 3/28/2009 from http://www.classroom20.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=iboards
After hearing so many positive comments about SMARTBoards and their efficacy with students who face specific learning challenges, I choose to investigate this particular technological device. A SMARTBoard is an interactive white board which can enhance activities and thus, improve learning skills. Basically, it is a touch sensitive board connected to a digital projector and computer. The projector shows the image from the computer screen to the whiteboard. Once the software is downloaded, the computer can be manipulated by hand or special pen.
One blogger suggests having the students actually play around with the SMARTBoard before actually using it as a learning too. Students are asked to write their names via the SMARTBoard and then manipulate the font on an attendance page. As the students enter the classroom, they find their names and drag them to the appropriate attendance column.
Another blogger touts SMARTBoards as a “public computer for the class” which helps facilitate and accelerates student learning in a collaborative manner. She also comments that less students sleep or tune out than prior to the SMARTBoard. (Man that got my interest!) The same blogger contends that he doesn’t know how he taught without it, akin to the way most of us feel about cell phones and other technological devices. One does not need look deeply into the blogs to see enthusiasm about how the SMARTBoard “digitizes” lesson plans and encourages students use.
In the classroom, the only negative I foresee is my students waiting their turns to check in or participate in a class project. I see using a SMARTBoard to model the importance of technology and to encourage my students who have hesitations, just as I have. Since a SMARTBoard ultimately takes the place of a whiteboard, I like the idea of using my whiteboard space to post student work, inspirational posters, and standards-based reminders. Because I work with students who have learning challenges, I see the use of a SMARTBoard to help them feel successful. Of course I would have to set norms and schedules for its use; that’s a given.
I checked out a few websites; however most of them seek to sell their products and the ads are a bit distracting
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I have never seen SMARTboards in action, but they sure sound interesting! Anything to get students to not sleep or tune out of class! I look forward to trying to incorporate such technology in my future classroom.
ReplyDeleteI also have never seen a SMARTboard! It sounds like an awesome educational tool. I'm interested to see one at work!
ReplyDeleteI would also have worries about students having to wait longer to participate and use the SMARTboard, but it sounds like it would be a great tool to use with students who have learning challenges.