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| Source: http://www.usref.net/projects.html |
I couldn't wait to learn how to use it and try it out! Unfortunately, my school does not provide any kind of training or professional development with the interactive board and thus, I pretty much use it as a glorified whiteboard, substitute projector, and an alternative to PowerPoint. And as a first year teacher and full-time grad student, I just haven't had the time to fully delve into my own research on the matter. So, I figured now was a good time to at least start!
Most of the articles and blogs I have discovered about SMART boards talk about the SMART notebook collaborative learning software, which is what teachers or students would use with the actual physical board. I was really interested to see on the SMART website that there are also software programs that would allow the SMART board to be used for meetings, conferences, and data collection. I now know there are other types of interactive white boards, as well. My school actually uses a Promethean Board and a program called ActivInspire. From my understanding thus far, most people refer to interactive white boards as SMART boards, regardless of what the actual brand may be. I actually didn't even realize there were different brands out there. Most of the tutorials and information I found were about SMART boards and the SMART notebook software - I couldn't find as much about the Promethean.
Here's a news segment about Promethean ActivBoards being used in elementary schools in Baltimore, Maryland. It's a pretty old video (2007!), but sums up the basics quite nicely.
Regardless of the specific brand or software, it seems apparent that interactive white boards enhance the learning process and have a positive impact on student achievement. Our students were born into the digital age and the old styles of teaching are simply not going to hold their attention or motivate them. We need to be speaking their language and incorporating interactive technology into the classroom to make the content more relevant, engaging, and meaningful to them. Researchers Christine Bangsund and Margaret Jacobson compiled statistics and data from numerous studies about the use and effectiveness of SMART boards in elementary classrooms. International research proves that SMART boards promote student engagement, because "students are social learners needing active learning, constructivism, and whole class teaching; common thread of these 3 is student engagement."
Below are some stats and numbers regarding SMART boards and student achievement:
There are a ton of tutorial and training resources available on the web and for free that detail how to use the various interactive white boards and their corresponding software programs. Here's a really cool video from YouTube that shows you a few basic tips and tricks for how to effectively use some of the more awesome elements of the SMART board technology and software. Check it out:
Finally, there are a ton of resources and blogs that have been put together by other teachers. One of my favorite new social networking sites is Pinterest - most of my teacher friends are on Pinterest and have boards dedicated to their classrooms or to the profession of teaching. I have found so many great ideas and resources just from following other teachers! I found this great board all about using SMART boards in first grade, which is awesome for me, because I am also a first grade teacher! My favorite link from the board is a website called SMART Lesson Stop hosted by three teachers who create and put together lesson plans specifically for the SMART board that you can download and use in your classroom! Now I just gotta find something similar for the Promethean board, but like I said before, most of the resources out there are for SMART boards specifically. I guess I'm gonna have to dig a little deeper!! :)
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| Promethean is another brand of interactive white boards Source: Rock Quarry Library |
Here's a news segment about Promethean ActivBoards being used in elementary schools in Baltimore, Maryland. It's a pretty old video (2007!), but sums up the basics quite nicely.
Regardless of the specific brand or software, it seems apparent that interactive white boards enhance the learning process and have a positive impact on student achievement. Our students were born into the digital age and the old styles of teaching are simply not going to hold their attention or motivate them. We need to be speaking their language and incorporating interactive technology into the classroom to make the content more relevant, engaging, and meaningful to them. Researchers Christine Bangsund and Margaret Jacobson compiled statistics and data from numerous studies about the use and effectiveness of SMART boards in elementary classrooms. International research proves that SMART boards promote student engagement, because "students are social learners needing active learning, constructivism, and whole class teaching; common thread of these 3 is student engagement."
Below are some stats and numbers regarding SMART boards and student achievement:
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| Source: SMART Boards in Elementary Schools |
There are a ton of tutorial and training resources available on the web and for free that detail how to use the various interactive white boards and their corresponding software programs. Here's a really cool video from YouTube that shows you a few basic tips and tricks for how to effectively use some of the more awesome elements of the SMART board technology and software. Check it out:
I love the title of your post. Sometimes I feel the same way! We have access to Smart Boards...but I don't really know what to do with them. I feel like maybe we have all of these resources and they are not getting used correctly.
ReplyDeleteI have a "counter question" for you...and anyone who reads this. If we are teaching our kids with Smart Boards, and they are learning from them...what happens if that child moves to a school with no technology...will they continue on the same learning curve? Or do you think taking away technology might have a rebound effect.
Mike
I agree - I think if we are not properly trained to use the tech in the best or most effective manner, then it's kind of pointless. We're definitely not getting the best bang for our buck and the students won't be benefiting as much.
DeleteI also think that if a student who was accustomed to learning with highly engaging and interactive digital media moved to a school with no tech, they would absolutely suffer some negative consequences. I think they would be much less engaged and find the content to be boring and less relevant to their lives. Our students are being born into a digital age and as educators, we need to speak their language, which in this case, is digital communication and making sure we use mediums that are familiar and motivating for them, like interactive digital devices.