About three weeks ago I saw my first SMART board in a 5th grade classroom and I was fascinated by it. No more chalk no more dry-erase markers. SMART boards have been around for a while now but I have just now been seeing them more and more inside schools. I don’t know where I have been. I guess it’s not the latest technology but it sure is cool. A SMART board is an electronic white board that has so many pros. I was reading in an article and it stated, “If you can use a computer you can use a SMART board.” When looking at a SMART board one would think it is a dry erase board but actually it is a touch sensitive screen that connects to a computer and projector. It contains digital pens that are black, blue, red and green. These pens do not contain ink! They are programmed to make the board functional. A SMART board is interactive and great for demonstrations. It is colorful and allows students to visually see what is being taught to them. A SMART board contains a program called Notebook which is used by most teachers. This program lets teachers type with their keyboard and write with their digital pens on the board. I would for sure use this piece of technology in my classroom. I believe it is a great way to display images, notes, and worksheets. For example, as a class we could work on a math worksheet together. I could open the document that contains the worksheet on my computer then display it on the SMART board. I could then have my students use digital pens to solve the problems step by step. I believe a SMART board would be a beneficial addition to any classroom. It allows educators to incorporate different learning strategies. It a useful way to visually display what is being taught and it is interactive. A SMART board has multiple purposes. Instead of rolling in a television on a cart to show a movie you can just show it on the SMART board. Instead of writing directions on a chalkboard you can clearly display them typed on the SMART board. It is another piece of technology that makes learning and teaching fun. It is a great tool for teachers.
My CT has a smart board in her room, too. But it's broken! :( I'm eager for them to fix it so that I can see how it works. Instead she has to use the overhead projector, which is also useful I guess. Sounds like Smartboards are a great technology for the classroom!
ReplyDeleteDid you get an opportunity to go to the MSU children's 4-H gardens? I went with TE 401 and our guide used one in the classroom there before taking us out into the gardens. He, too, demonstrated a lot of different uses and possibilities with them.
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