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I have seen the use of Smartboards in many of the classrooms I have observed in. It has seemed like a very beneficial tool for all ages. I have heard of many different uses ranging from PreSchool to middle school. The school I used to work at had a Smartboard in each classroom. Many of the lessons were based around the use of their Smartboard. They even used it for attendance. After looking over a few different websites, I was able to learn more about what Smartboards have to offer.
According to Smarttech.com, Smartboards are a combined use of a whiteboard with a computer. The surface of the board is touch sensitive and allows lessons to come alive. Students are able to physically interact with the lessons by moving objects around and clicking on pictures and words. A major benefit to using a Smartboard is that it targets both visual and kinesthetic learners. Students in this era of technology need more than one text book way of learning material. By being able to get up and interact, not only stimulates their brain but gives them a hands on experience to be involved with the material. With Smartboards you are able to write with your hand or a pen and erase with your hand. The touch recognition allows you to use these tools without changing any settings or delaying your lesson. When you pick up the pen tool you can begin writing on the board or erasing different text. The digital ink will appear on the board when you choose to write.
The Smart notebook allows you to organize and manage your lessons. You can save any notes you add during the lesson and use that with your students later on. A screenshot can be taken also.
Along with the Smartboards there are Smart response devices that allow students to submit answers, work, or ideas from their own seats. These target many different needs for all kinds of students such as those with special needs, advanced placement, and early education.
When searching for teacher reviews on SMART boards, I found many positive ways to use them. There are many teachers who post their lessons and share with others what they have come up with to actively engage their class in lessons. There were little disadvantages but the main ones were that it is a large object and can be hard to fit into a small classroom. Another big limitation is that they are expensive.
According to a website I found, SMART boards can range anywhere from $3,450 - $10,050.
Overall, I think SMART boards seems like a great tool to have in your classroom. I would be very interested in gaining money if the school does not provide me with one for my own room use. I think today's students need interaction like this and seeing students use it first hand has really opened my eyes to all of the opportunities SMART boards can provide.
I think that one more disadvantage to this technology is a steep learning curve. You need quite a lot of special training to be able to use SMART Boards properly. For example, in the workshop on SMART Boards that I attended last week I had trouble using those of the touchscreen buttons that were close to the edge of the board. If it was during a class or a presentation, I can imagine how embarrassing that might have been. But with a proper training, I’m sure I’ll be able to overcome these minor difficulties and use a SMART Board effectively.
ReplyDeleteI think Smartboards are very cool sadly I have never seen one in use. Mainly because all of my placements or my home school distract do not have the funds for it and are trying to recieve grants for more basic technologies like computers and even just text books. So, unfortunatly this is one technology that I feel is going to take a while to become common throughout schools if it ever does. I also think that most schools will not be providing you with a smart board because the budget cuts are so extreme right now and the teachers that have been in the school for a long time will get the perks first. Sorry to be such a downer but sadly this in one very cool technology that I don't see most of us being able to use for a while.
ReplyDeleteElena, I think that would be embarrassing so proper trying should be required!
ReplyDeleteSpencer, that is interesting. I think I have been lucky enough to work in schools that have been able to have these kinds of technologies. I do agree that it is going to take a while to be integrated into all school, but that goes with many other things as well. We must focus on getting students the proper materials they need to learn the content before we can move on to things such as SMART boards.
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