SMARTBoards

  SMARTBoards 

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 * = ** Table of Contents **
 * = What is a SMARTBoard? ||
 * = Does it replace or enhance something? ||
 * = How does it work? ||
 * = How does it work for today's learner? ||
 * = Unique attributes ||
 * = Examples ||
 * = Concerns ||
 * = Resources for teachers ||
 * = Resources used in Wiki ||

What is a SMARTBoard?  A SMARTBoard is an [|interactive whiteboard] developed by [|SMART Technologies] in 1991. Interactive whiteboards have a touch-sensitive surface that uses a sensor to detect user input. The user input can come from the four digital writing utensils (markers/pens) that come with the SMARTBoard, the user's hands/fingers, or a regular computer keyboard or mouse. This digital presentation device can be used with both Windows and Macintosh computers and in many different settings such as classrooms, corporate board rooms, and training rooms for professional sports. The interactive whiteboards let "their audience collaborate, draw, and interact with information on the screen" (Criswell, 2008). The number of SMARTBoards being used in these settings increases every year. By next year, 2010, "it is predicted that one out of every three classrooms will have one" (Robert McGrath, cited in Pearlman). For the purpose of this wiki, the focus will be on the classroom setting.

Does it replace or enhance something else used for teaching and learning? <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Initially it would seem that the SMARTBoard simply replaces the traditional blackboard. Although it can be used for writing capabilities like a blackboard can, the interactiveness of the SMARTBoard gives the teacher so many more possibilities. This technology "allows children to take more responsibility for their learning as teachers move from being the sage on the stage to the guide on the side" (Nancy Knowlton, cited in Pearlman). It helps the teacher to move beyond blackboards, flip charts, and overhead projectors. Top

How does it work? <span style="font-size: 110%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">The main setup consists of the SMARTBoard, a computer/laptop, and a projector. The projector displays the computer's desktop. The SMARTBoard then makes it interactive. These devices can be connected wirelessly or through USB cables. The SMARTBoard is available as front-projection, rear-projection, or flat-panel projection displays and they can be mounted on the wall or placed on a stand. Users can control the computer by using the digital markers/pens or their fingers. The SMARTBoard converts the touch into mouse clicks or digitial ink. The 600 series, the newest series of the SMARTBoard, allows fingers, pens, and hands to be used to simulate various writing tools. SMART Technologies gives an example of using a pen for writing, a finger for manipulating on the screen, and a hand for erasing (Nagel, 2009). No longer is it necessary to put the pen down in order to use the eraser or another tool. Top //<span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"> View this video clip to see a short introduction to the SMARTBoard. // media type="youtube" key="319sEUWZ6zk" height="344" width="425"

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">The SMARTBoard operates any software that is loaded on the computer. It can capture notes that are written on the board with the digital pens into software called the Notebook Software. This is the software that comes with the SMARTBoard. Other interactive whiteboards will have their own software. There have been different versions of the Notebook Software. The newest version is version 10. Some of the newer features are Table Tool, Object Animation, Themes, Magic Pen, and Shape Pen. See the <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">[|SMART Technology website] <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">for demonstrations of these new features.

Each of the Notebook Software versions has a <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">[|Gallery] <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">. The Gallery holds templates, graphics, and interactive graphics that can be used to enhance the SMARTBoard presentations.

At the bottom of the SMARTBoard is the pen tray that holds the digital markers. Below that are two buttons that can be used to "right click" objects on the board or to display a "QWERTY" keyboard. By pressing both buttons at the same time, you can access the calibration screen. The calibration screen is used to let the computer know where the "touches" are on the board. If the SMARTBoard is not calibrated the touch areas will be off-centered. Top

What unique attributes does it offer educational technology? <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"> Effective use of the SMARTBoard or any interactive whiteboard can help an educational setting in a variety of ways. First, it can have a positive impact on attention span, attitude and motivation of the students. Since it is a visual tool it helps the students concentrate for longer periods of time. It can also produce a "community of learning". Since the boards are interactive, the students (not just the teacher) can be the ones to come to the board and move the objects around and see the effects themselves. Using SMARTBoards helps with teaching abtract and difficult concepts thus allowing the students to understand more fully. Finally, SMARTBoards bring lessons to life and makes them more enjoyable for both the learner and the teacher. "By adding visual, auditory, and interactive elements to lessons, teachers can respond to a broad range of learning styles" (SMART Technology website). Top Examples of the SMARTBoard offering a unique approach to teaching. <span style="font-size: 80%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"><span style="font-size: 90%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">The first example is how the SMARTBoard along with the Notebook software can be used to record a math lesson. Not only can this benefit students who were absent but all students can benefit from viewing the digital video file at a later time. Students can use the file to help with homework, study for a test or exam, or simply just to __hear__ the explanation again. No longer will they have to just depend on their written notes or what they think they heard during classtime. The students can go back and have the lesson repeated as many times as they may need. This is critical in a math class. Top

<span style="font-size: 90%; color: #800000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">//View this video clip to see an example of a SMARTBoard lesson using the Notebook Software.// media type="youtube" key="2PJfgCqEoGU" height="344" width="425"

<span style="font-size: 110%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"><span style="font-size: 60%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Since the SMARTBoard can preview any piece of software that can be loaded on the desktop, this next example shows Geometer's Sketchpad which is a dynamic software. Using this software in combination with the interactiveness of the SMARTBoard and lessons will truly come alive. This video clip shows how the software can be used to explore graphs - in particular the graph of the square of x. <span style="font-size: 70%; color: #800000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"> Top

//View this video clip to see an example of the Geometer's Sketchpad Software.// <span style="font-size: 150%; color: #800000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"> media type="youtube" key="LKnf3dVz2rw" height="364" width="445" Concerns about the SMARTBoard that need to be addressed. <span style="font-size: 70%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Some concerns have surfaced about using SMARTBoards. One of the biggest concerns is the price associated with <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">getting a SMARTBoard system. The SMARTBoard itself can cost between $1300 and $2000. Along with that a projector is needed and other setup costs. Some schools do not wish to invest that kind of money. Teachers have also complained that the SMARTBoard is hard to write on especially with a front-projection model because of the shadow that appears from the projector when they are trying to write something on the board. A rear-projection is more suitable so that a shadow is not casted onto the screen. Another concern is that some research shows that there is no impact on student performance when using a SMARTBoard during the first year after installation. That is often times due to the lack of training for the teachers. Teachers must be continually trained on not only using the SMARTBoard but more importantly on how to incorporate the SMARTBoard into each subject lesson. Sometimes teachers focus more on the technology rather than on the student learning. The boards must be used effectively in order to see positive results and not just be used as another "blackboard". A final concern is that using a SMARTBoard can slow the pace of the whole class when students individually take turns to interact with the board. If the SMARTBoard is used frequently enough, the students will become more accustomed to it and the pacing <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">should <span style="font-size: 150%; color: #800000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"><span style="font-size: 90%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"><span style="font-size: 80%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">not <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">be effected. Top How does it work for today's learners - the Milennials, Digital Natives? <span style="font-size: 110%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"><span style="font-size: 90%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"><span style="font-size: 70%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Students today are definitely more visual learners. "If you look at what kids are doing, so much of it is on a big screen TV at home" (Fraser Sewall cited in Rhyno, 2009). Because of that they can relate very well to interactive whiteboards. Students that usually may not be paying attention are drawn into the SMARTBoard which is the first step to better understanding. They are not just sitting and looking at things on an overhead or something written on the board. "This is a video-game culture. Kids' brains are tuned to watching the bright colors, seeing the movement and it is a way of introducing a teaching method in a way they are familiar with" (Chris Ruhl, cited in Rhyno, 2009). <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Solomon and Schrum decribe what today's students want from their schools. In their book they cite a report from Farris-Berg (2005) which highlights what students think about technology in schools. Here are a few of the findings: <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"><span style="font-size: 90%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"> (Solomon and Schrum, 2007, p. 32) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"><span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Effective use of SMARTBoards in the classroom can be one way to address these issues that the students voiced. SMARTBoards <span style="font-size: 70%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"><span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">can "help students use and enjoy technology in order to learn" (Solomon and Schrum, 2007, p. 33) Top Resources for teachers using SMARTBoards: <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Tutorials: [] <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">[|http://smarttech.com/trainingcenter/tutorials.asp#] Social Networking Sites: <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">[]<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">- Great source of podcast each about 20 minutes. [] [] <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Follow Obe Hostetter on a SMARTBoard Twitter account. [|http://smartboardrevolution. ning.com/]
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Technology is important to students' education
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Technology is not an "extra"
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">In-school use is not integrated
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Students want to use technology to learn, and in a variety of ways
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Students want challenging, technologically oriented instructional activities

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Bookmarking Sites: [] []

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">General Resources: <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msoansilanguage: EN-US; msofareastlanguage: EN-US; msobidilanguage: AR-SA;">[] [|http://smartboardresources.pbwiki.com/] <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">[] Top

<span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Resources used for this Wiki:

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<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"> <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">[] ======

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<span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Cuscruff (2008, September 6). Exploring Graphs with Geometer's Sketchpad [Video File]. Video posted to [] ======

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<span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Kuroneko, K. (2008). //SMART Board - Pros and Cons of Using a Digital, Interactive Whiteboard (In the Classroom).// Retrieved April 13, 2009, from Ezine Articles, <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">[] ======

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<span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"><span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"> <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Nagel, D. (2009). //Smart Board 600 Series Adds Touch Recognition.// Retrieved April 13, 2009, from T.H.E. Journal, <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">[]  ======

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<span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"> Pearlman, E. (2008). //Goodbye blackboards, hello Smart Boards//. Retrieved April 13, 2009, from Times Beacon Record, [] ======

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<span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Rhyno, C. (2009). //Bringing technology into the classroom//. Retrieved April 13, 2009, from Daily Herald-Tribune, <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">[] ======

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<span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Solomon, G. & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0 new tools, new schools. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Education. ====== <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Tmshannon1 (2007, November 1). Example of SMART Board lesson [Video File]. Video posted to [] Wikipedia, (2009). From Official Website: [], Wikipedia, (2009). From Official Website: [] Top