SMARTBOARD

SMARTBOARD: Not just a glorified projector! Presented by Danielle Fallon

As with most technology - the best way to learn and navigate is by doing. Get to one of the two Smartboards at Lincoln Place (Room 305 and 204) or the three Smartboards at Carroll Street….. and give it a try.

TURN ON: The Smartboard is connected to a desktop computer in the room. Simply press POWER and the source you wish to use (COMPuter or VIDEO) on the box by the light switch. (The Smartboard-Video is connected to the television in room 305)

ORIENT: The Smartboard needs to be oriented in order to respond to the touch of a finger or marker. Press keyboard and mouse at same time to get started – and touch the board where indicated. Allowing students to help orient the Smartboard could be an effective way to help those students who need an activity at the beginning of class to settle down.

APPLICATION: The software used is called Notebook. Our Helpdesk can help teachers download this program to their home computer. Also free to download. Go to FINDER >APPLICATIONS >NOTEBOOK SOFTWARE on the desktop.

WRITE: Pick up the ‘marker’ and write robustly. Note that it is not the marker that is writing, but its point of the marker on the screen. One can use a finger as well. But only one marker must be lifted in order to write on the board. A light of the colored marker (black, blue, red, green) will illuminate.

101 USES!! The Smartboard can be an incredibly useful and efficient tool for both teacher and student.

For TEACHER – MS and PowerPoint documents, notes, textbook pages, student’s work, websites can be transmitted with a simple touch of the screen. The class can take notes together – and these can be shared with students who miss class - or provided to students who have difficulty writing and participating simultaneously (students with working memory or handwriting challenges)

For STUDENT – provides great visuals and color (for our visual learners), an opportunity to write and edit projected work with ‘marker’ or finger in class (for the tactile / kinesthetic learners). This is a great tool that can lead to differentiated instruction!

Again, as with most new methods and technology, it may take longer to learn its useful applications – but in the long run, the Smartboard has great potential to improve class efficiency, productivity, participation and overall learning!!

Feel free to see Danielle Fallon for ‘pointers’.