Parent's F.A.Q. for Smart Boards
What are Smart Boards?
In 1991, it was the world's first interactive whiteboard. Today, it is the world's leading interactive whiteboard. Combining the simplicity of a whiteboard with the power of a computer, the SMART Board interactive whiteboard engages students and audiences around the world.
The touch-sensitive display connects to your computer and digital projector to show your computer image. You can then control computer applications directly from the display, write notes in digital ink and save your work to share later.
Best of all, the full-featured SMART Board interactive whiteboard is incredibly easy to use. If you can use a computer, you can use a SMART Board interactive whiteboard.
Why are Smart Boards used in the classroom?
1. The board can accommodate different learning styles. Tactile learners can benefit from touching and marking at the board, audio learners can have the class discussion, visual learners can see what is taking place as it develops at the board.
2. One-computer classrooms can maximize the use of limited computer access by using the whiteboard. Students can work together with individuals contributing at the board, other participants at the computer, and the group as a whole discussing the activity. While it is true that acquiring the board and the projector is an expense, the use of this set-up can be viewed as a cost-cutter when it makes it possible for one computer to serve multiple students.
3. The boards are clean and attractive tools. There is no messy chalk dust or other by-product, which can limit use. While the board can be used with regular dry erase markers, it is more likely to be used with the electronic marking feature, which employs either stylus or finger, and thus requires no cleanup.
4. It is interactive. Users can be contributing directly by input both at the computer and at the board. The combination I liked best was for the teacher to be stationed at the computer, with students at the board and in the class offering suggestions and physically contributing ideas and actions. The interaction that transpires between the person at the computer, the users at the board, and the computer itself is a unique and very adaptable arrangement.
5. It is a kid magnet! Kids of all ages are drawn to the board. Adults who are first attracted by the novelty find themselves suggesting ways they could see it used effectively. Children just want to use the board at every opportunity.
How do you utilize the Smart Board in the classroom?
1. Smart Board Notebook Software Lessons (See Teacher-Creadted Lessons)
2. Use of interactive websites for whole class instuction
3. Use of multiple computer applications that can be shown for whole class instruction
4. Peer-to Peer teaching lessons
Although these are few of the uses of a Smart Board in the everyday life of a classroom, there are so many immeasurable benefits of adding such a unique and engaging tool into the classroom.
| 
