A few weeks ago I did a blog post about the SMART board. I
just started teaching second grade and many of the teachers in the school have
a SMART board in their classroom. I was able to see first- hand how students
become engaged in the lesson when using a SMART board. My favorite feature was
when the teacher was able to print out the class notes that were written on the
SMART board. This allowed her to continue with the lesson, and not have to stop
to see if students wrote all the vocabulary words down. The second feature that
I found interesting was the ability to save a lesson and refer back to it the
next day. This does save time, when a teacher does not have to write everything
on the whiteboard again.
I don’t have a whiteboard in my classroom; I only have a
projector and an ELMO. Both the projector and the ELMO work well in the classroom.
I try to incorporate as much interaction with the projector and the whiteboard
as possible. For example, I will project worksheets onto the projector using
the whiteboard, and we will do it together as a class. I let the students come
to the whiteboard and write down the answers. It is apparent that technology is
being used in the classroom more and more each year. Students get computer time
during specials and as a reading center. Even though, they are not using
different software’s on the computer for reading, they are still becoming familiar
with a computer and how it works.
I hope to get a SMART board in my classroom soon. They are
many ways that a SMART board can be used for student engagement and classroom management.
I know I can easily find training for the SMART board online and through other
teachers that have the SMART board in their classroom. I got a different
perspective from researching the SMART board online than I did witnessing a
teacher use it in her classroom. When you are able to see first- hand how the
SMART board technology changes learning by engaging students, it is more
impacting than reading about it.
Hi Zulay!
ReplyDeleteMy school opted to purchase the Mimio program to use with our whiteboards in the classroom. Apparently, they are less expensive than Smart or Promethian, so we were able to put one in every classroom. So it's been an amazing experience working with an interactive white board.
I agree with your reasons for appreciating the Smart Board system: Being able to "print out the class notes" is definitely an advantage. What I find very cool is when the students write something on the board, say on a worksheet for example, we are able to change their handwriting to a font that is neater and easier to read prior to printing out the information. (The kids like it, too). Although, I always think it's cute to print out their actual handwriting - especially from the littler ones.
"Saving a lesson" that you have created is definitely a great timesaver for next time. So, when you create a really great lesson, you definitely want to share it again next year. No one likes re-creating the wheel. :)
I hope that you get your wish of getting a SMART board in your classroom very soon. You definitely deserve it! Thanks for sharing.
I was not aware that you can change a student’s font. I think that is a great tool to use. I also hope that I can get a SMART board in the classroom. It will make a great addition to learning.
ReplyDeleteI am a first grade teacher and I have a Promethean board in my classroom. I admit, as a first year teacher, I have not delved as deep as I could be nor have I participated in any professional training. So, I could definitely be doing a lot more! But, there are a ton of resources and web sites on the Internet where you can download lessons or games that are made specifically for a SMART or Promethean board, usually created by other teachers! I have a few math games that my students and I play on the board - they love coming up and drawing on the board!
ReplyDeleteMy roommate just started using a SMART tablet type tool - she, or students, can use the tablet to write from their desks or from the back of the room and it shows up on the IWB! So cool!
Many of our own classmates have posted previous blog articles about SMART and Interactive white boards and they have included a ton of links/resources for how to better use them. You should go back and check some of them out when you do finally get one!! :)
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI did find different websites in my first blog about SMART boards. They are great sites to share with other teachers who have a SMART board. I cant wait to get one in my room. I want to apply what I have learned instead of reading about it. The articles that other classmates and I have posted do contain great resources. Thank you!
Hi Zulay,
ReplyDeleteYour school is very fortunate to have access to such great technology! Although I have never seen a SMART board first-hand, I find myself very intrigued by all of the features I’ve read about in yours’ and other classmates’ blogs. The things they are capable of are astounding! Being able to change font, print out class notes and save lessons to refer back to them later; what more could a teacher ask for? Not to mention, as you said, how excited students get when such technology is available to them. Gaining student interest is half the battle in teaching! Technology has really come a long way since I was in school. The only technology my teacher had was an overhead projector and a portable cart with a TV and VHS! I am looking into finding trainings for SMART boards soon in hopes of gaining the first-hand knowledge you’ve acquired through your school. I just want to thank you; I have really enjoyed your blogs this semester.
Best wishes and Happy Holidays!
Kim H.
ELMOs and projectors are common place these days. Smart boards, vimmeo, networking in class...these are the new cutting edge tools. I have not been fortunate enough to experience these tools in my class. We have several of each at my school, but it takes a near act of congress to get one in your own class!
ReplyDeleteBill Gates has donated millions to education...wouldn't it be nice if we could all have a SmartBoard in our class? *hint hint* Mr. Gates, if you are reading...you know what to do!