SMART Tutorial

I recently attened a Smartboard tutorial session at the Mount and found it to be very useful. Since I'm not currently in the classroom, I wanted to see how some of the basic features of this technology could improve student learning for myself. After getting off to a rough start with some technical difficulties we got down to some of the basics:

• Turning written text into typed text
• Saving notes that you've written on the board for future use
• Moving objects around on the board
• How to "clone" things for unlimited use
• Using the internet to look up images to incorporate into class discussions

Our instructor also showed us how to access games in our subject area to use for classroom use. These games can be used as a great tool to review material that students have learned in a fun, interactive way.

The session proved to be successful for me because I walked away feeling as though the Smartboard is user friendly and with practice can be a useful, interactive tool in the classroom. I wish we had more time to work with the board itself but due to the technical difficulties we ran out of time. However, I will definately be signing up when they offer another tutorial to learn more! On a positive note, due to the difficulties we were all invited to attend the next session free of charge.

Samrtboard Benefits for Students

Smartboards are not only beneficial for teachers but it's been found to have positive effects on student learning as well. Here are some of the reasons why students can benefit from SMART technology.

• Encourages student involvement- teachers can bring students up to the board to have students practice and implement what they've learned. This helps the student at the board because they are using what they've learned and put it into practice and also gives the students a chance to "be the teacher" rather then just having the teacher deliver all the instruction.

• Accommodates different learning styles- not all students learn the same way. For example, through the use of SMART technology students who are auditory learners can benefit from the use of videos on the board. Kinesthetic learners can do hands-on activities to increase their learning by going up to the board and typing and or participating in the lesson on the board.

• Helps students with motor skill problems- students who have motor skill problems can use the board to increase the size of their keyboard so they can type easier, it can also help with hand/eye coordination.

• Interactive- the board is an interactive tool for the students and it's encouraged to get students to interact with both the board and one another which can also help foster positive relationships among peers.

• Notes- students who have trouble taking notes and or who have messy handwriting can benefit from the teachers ability to save the slides and print them out for notes. This allows for students to engage in the lesson rather then having to worry about taking notes.

Benefits for Teachers Using SMART Technology

The use of Smartboards in the classroom have many benefits for teachers in the classroom. Here are some of it's benefits:

• Classroom Management - teachers can use it to take attendence
  
• Great way to show demonstrations
• Teachers can easily create fun, interactive games that keep kids engaged and can also be helpful for review of test material
• Students of all ages respond well to it's use in the classroom
• If there is limited access to computers in the school and or the classroom, using SMART technology can maximize the use of the computer
• The smartboards can cater to all learning styles and can increase comprehension for all students
• Allows teachers to tap into the World Wide Web for unlimited information
  
• Using the computer can allow for access to the most current and up-to-date information
• Students relate to technology and computers which can easily tie subject area information in with their everyday lives
• Teachers that use interactive boards are changing their teaching approach to fit the needs of their students rather then the older ways of teaching that may not work for kids in a technology based society
  

Why Teachers Should Use Smartboards in the Classroom

The use of Smartboards in the classroom is a new and popular way to include technology in the classroom. Smartboard has benefits for both students and teachers.Through the use of this technology teachers can bring up to date information to their students. There are many ways that teachers can bring technology into the class through the use of: the internet, graphic organizers, online resources and lesson plans. Teachers can access interactive lessons online designed for the Smartboard. Here are some of the comments that New York teachers have on the impact of the Smartboard:

• "Our students live in a world where technical literacy is vital their future. By using SMART products, we can create an interactive classroom and reach out to our students in a way that pen and paper alone cannot." – Patty Herrman, Rochester Central School District

• "We want teachers to be energized and bursting with ideas as they see firsthand the transformational possibilities SMART products can have on classroom instruction and student learning. We want them to feel enabled, empowered and excited about 21st-century learning.” – Wendy Smith, Webster Central School District

• "Teachers are using SMART Board interactive whiteboards to enhance their curriculum. These interactive whiteboards enable teachers to bring lessons to life!” – Sabrina Rich, Ardsley Union Free School District
  

Research

Research from the University of Virginia (2008) outlines the benefits that whiteboards have on the quality of teaching. Some of the points in the article point to: reduction of stress, time management, increased confidence for new teachers and shared resourses that are easily accessible.

The United States is not eh only country to conduct research on Smartboard technology, the research extends internaionally with mostly all the same outcomes.

• University of New Brunswick - Canada (2008)
• United Kingdom (2007)
• Chilean Research (2004)
• Summary of research

As you can see, the research has pointed tothe advantages of having Smartboard in the classroom. My next post will be on the resources available for teachers on the web and through Smartboard.