Smartboards in the Classroom

Smartboards in the Classroom

By: Ashlea Campbell

What is the tool and how can it be used?


The tool I chose to blog about is the Smartboard. Smartboards are phenomenal tools. A smartboard is a tool used in many schools as replacements for traditional whiteboards or flipcharts. They provide ways to show students anything which can be presented on a computer's desktop (educational software, websites, and others). It also allows teachers to record their instruction and post the material for review by students at a later time. The following lists more ways the smartboard can be used:

- Presentations created by student or teacher
- Digital storytelling
- Brainstorming
- Reinforce skills by using on-line interactive web sites
- Diagramming activities

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this tool?

There are a lot of advantages for having a smartboard; 1.) it is a hands-on approach to classroom concepts, 2.) it is great for demonstrations, 3.) students with limited motor skills can enjoy board use, 4.) the board can accommodate different learning styles, and 5.) the boards are clean attractive tools.

The disadvantages for having a smartboard: 1.) they cost a lot of money, 2.) can easily get broken if used improperly, and 3.) it has the same problems that a computer and projector setup have.

Despite the disadvantages that I have named, the educational benefit for your classroom obviously outweighs the problems.

Who is the audience for this tool?

Anybody can be the audience for this tool; students, teachers, parents, and the President of the United States.

Where can we learn about this tool?

Go to the following website for more information about the smartboard:
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/smart_board.htm

http://www.bristolvaschools.org/mwarren/SBActivities.htm for smartboard games

http://www.mrshurleysesl.com/smart_favorites.html for smartboard activities

What is your opinion on the usefulness of this tool?

Smartboards are becoming the classroom technology of tomorrow. The smartboard is one of the best tools anyone could have invented to add to the classroom. I have seen children benefit from it in many ways and it has enhanced student achievement a lot too! In years to come I think that smartboards will be replaced for text-books because they have changed the view for classroom teachings.