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SMART Board Fever
The push to provide technology in schools has been successful in recent years. According to Goldman, Cole, and Syer (1999), most schools have computer labs and many have computers in every classroom. More than 90 percent of all schools are connected to the Internet, and more than 33 percent of teachers have Internet access in their classrooms. Yet teachers readily admit that using the technology can be difficult and that they may not be using what they have to its full capacity.
In Roxbury, efforts have been made to train teachers in the use of newly acquired equipment by offering classes in technology integration and more recently by going into the schools and training and modeling for small groups of teachers during faculty meetings. Currently, at the elementary level, in addition to the SMART Boards in each computer lab, several mobile SMART Boards are available for teacher use in each elementary school.
A SMART Board is a presentation device that interfaces with a computer. The computer images are displayed on the interactive whiteboard by a digital projector, where they can be seen and manipulated. Users can control the software from both the computer and from the board itself. With proper planning, preparation, and training it is a powerful instructional tool, which can be adapted for use with a wide range of subjects and grades. Additionally, the SMART Board maximizes the use of a single computer and accommodates different learning styles.
Mrs. Phyllis Prestamo, Supervisor of Applied Sciences for the elementary schools has been visiting the four elementary schools this school year sharing her knowledge of the SMART Board and its capabilities. Typical sessions start with the basics; how to set up the system-- computer, projector and SMART Board, and the interactive features of the system. Mrs. Prestamo runs her sessions using the SMART Board modeling how to use “a finger” as a mouse to work with any software loaded into the computer. She also demonstrates the four colored electronic pens and eraser, which can be used to highlight, add information and record student input. Mrs. Prestamo also highlights the ability to access the Internet quickly by going to the Harcourt School website, the district’s K-5 math publisher, and using the sites’ many features with the whole class. She also demonstrated how to access a map, show a United Streaming video clip, use the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives, show a Power Point presentation and how to use the Notebook software supplied with the SMART Boards. Most fun was playing “Solar System” Jeopardy, from the SMART Board ala Vanna White, including full color photos and video clips accessed with a touch of the hand. Unlike a traditional blackboard any thing on the interactive whiteboard can be sent to a printer and duplicated for student use.
As a result of these training sessions conducted by Mrs. Prestamo, “SMART Board fever” has taken over the district’s schools. Many teachers are now using the SMART Board on a daily basis in all subjects and there is an increase in demand for training. Plans are in the works for additional professional development in technology integration, lesson planning using technology and maximizing the use of the software already available in all the schools.
For more information on SMART Boards, please visit... SMART Tech.