Identify a current technology that has emerged in the last
few years that shapes learning or productivity in your industry.
SMARTboards or interactive white
boards have been around for many years, but schools are just reaching the point
that some can afford them. I teach in a K-5 building that in the last few years
my building has been able to purchase a SMARTboard for every teacher (grade
level, special needs, art, music, library, etc) in the building. This has
allowed us to be able to model interactive text materials that the district has
purchased, we can have small group instruction where the students can touch the
screen and make it interactive, and students are more engaged in the
lessons. Lessons for the SMARTboard are
easily found on the internet.
What problems or challenges have been associated with this
technology?
The cost is a huge problem. The
SMARTboards and projectors can cost approximately $3900 each. For the small building I teach at this was
close to a $33,000 expense. Through
school fundraisers and grants we were able to complete this in 3 years.
Another challenge is getting some
teachers away from just using it as a big movie screen. Our technology specialist in the building
works with teachers frequently to show them the many benefits. There is also technology professional
development offered through our district during the school year and
summer. We have a requirement of
obtaining 24 hours of professional development outside of the school day each
contract year.
The following blog discusses why she doesn’t feel like having SMARTboards in the classroom is that
great.
What societal need does it meet, and what are its benefits?
SMARTboards allow teachers to be
able to model interactive text materials that the district has purchased,
teachers can have small group (can be whole group) instruction where the
students can touch the screen and make it interactive and students are more
engaged in the lessons. Students,
especially at the elementary age, are used to seeing animation from PBS kids
shows/cartoons, learning websites, and their toys. To keep them engaged in the classroom having
something that is interactive and moving is Lessons for the SMARTboard are
easily found on the internet. One of the
best teacher created SMARTboard lesson sites used is Smarttech . It is free for teachers to sign up and use.
What would make this technology even better, avoiding the
pitfalls you identified?
If a school wants to purchase
SMARTboards or interactive whiteboards they need to think ahead the
professional development aspect. Have a
technology team of teachers willing to provide some sort of professional development
to unsure teachers is a great start.
The cost is a huge problem, but not
sure how that can be fixed. There is a
school discount already in place from majority if not all companies that sell
SMARTboards.
For the last 5 years, we have used Promethean Boards in my classroom. I teach special education and the students are allowed to practice concepts in an interactive way. I still use manipulatives and workbooks, but the Promethean Board is another tool I can use to help teach concepts.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first received my Promethean Board, I used it as a large movie screen. I didn't know how to utilize the technology. I used different resources to learn how to use the technology efficiently. I rely heavily on www.prometheanplanet.com to find flipcharts that compliment my lesson.
I also selected the whiteboard as my emerging technology - and it just keeps emerging. I remember getting a board in every room about 6 years ago. They were over 8,000 per board at that time, and our readings stated that technology does tend to get cheaper as time goes by. I also use the board with the activexpressions and activotes, both allow up to 32 students to work interactively with the board at one time. The fact that no one knows the number of the other students allows them a bit more confidence in responding to problems in our math class and they are much more engaged in solving the problems and having their bar chart show lots of green than in solving the same type of problem on a worksheet. The activ slate allows me to stand behind the students as we focus on the whiteboard and classroom management is much more simple, creating more time for creating knowledge. Great choice of technology!
ReplyDeleteKaren,
DeleteThank you for mentioning activexpressions and activotes. These tools are incredible with their features! Do each of your students have a cellphone to use these tools? How do you use those tools in the classroom? I am amazed at how many new technology tools there are for teachers to use.
Sanjay Sharma
I'd like to know more about the activexpressions and activotes. I will have read more about these.
DeleteHi Kellie,
ReplyDeleteMy school district made huge investments into Promethean boards. It is unfortunate that there is improper training for teachers and students, and there is no instruction on how to use some of the lessons found in the Internet. I am sure the cost of these smartboards will come down, but the school districts need to wise up and create a shift in culture to make use of these tools properly. Offering training, mentorship, and informational sessions are some of the needed things that have to be done in my school district.
Sanjay Sharma
Training for teachers is a must.
DeleteHello Kellie,
ReplyDeleteI think Smart Boards are exceptional strategies for classrooms success. Students get opportunities to engage in collaborative discussions as a result of this technology and learn academic skills. The only issue my school has with the Smart Boards are constant maintenance to keep it working correctly. Does your school have this problem?
Petti,
ReplyDeleteMaintenance hasn't been a huge problem, but making sure updates are done has caused trouble. Teachers are not allowed to do the updates, so we have to wait for the tech team to do it. That can be frustrating.
Kellie