TLT 450: Technology in school settings

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1. 

   I thought Carol’s presentation was great because it appealed to both rookie and veteran SmartBoard users. Since I have already had experience with using a SmartBoard I did not think I would learn much more than reviewing the basics. However, her presentation sparked ideas for many new ways of using this technology. For example, saving and printing/emailing lecture notes that would normally be written on a blackboard and then erased. These notes can be saved for absent students to make sure they get the same information the rest of the students learned. Good work Carol!

   Comment by mattwolf — September 21, 2007 #
2. 

   Thank you very much Carol for introducing the Smartboard to us. It was my first time to get to know about Smartboard and I find as an amazing technological tool to use in any subject area. Especially, in the schools I have observed before, I find that math teachers have difficulty in integrating most of the technological tools into their content area. I think Smartboard can be just the correct technological tool that they are looking for to use in a math classroom.

   I think Carol explained many great ways that a math teacher can use Smartbroard to improve teaching. Printing out what is on the Smartboard is also an amazing feature, since some of the students always rush to write what is on the board and cannot pay enough attention to what the teacher is saying or explaining. I think this print feature of Smartboard will be just the right cure of such students’ worry.

   Comment by Demet Metan — September 21, 2007 #
3. 

   Carol, I thought you did an excellent job with the presentation. Like Matt Wolf, I have been around smartboards for some time but you actually gave me more insight to how powerful a tool the smartboard can be. You touched on many features such as “interactivity”, “flash image”, “equation editor”, and some other downloadable custom features. I also enjoyed your comparison with Powerpoint and the Smart Notebook. Your additional resource are very handy. Thanks.

   Comment by Abimbolu Odusola — September 21, 2007 #
4. 

   Carol, I enjoyed your presentation of SMARTBoard. I agree that these are great tools for classroom, not only as a lecture tool but also as a “mindtool” that can be used to encourage student critical thinking.
   If anyone is interested in reading more on why SMARTBoards are really great tools for teachers, read this article.

   Comment by Ali Shameem — September 21, 2007 #
5. 

   Hi Carol,
   First of all, I have to say I’m jealous! I had an in-service one time explaining the Smartboard, but nothing ever amounted from it. I think you did an excellent job with your presentation. You can tell that you are very comfortable with this tool. I wonder how well my 4th graders would adapt to this type of board. I just like the flexible and ease that comes with using this tool. I would love to have this type of tool in my classroom, because you can easily show items from the web. It’s great that you can do math calculations on the Smartboard, that you’re not able to show on a handheld calculator. I wonder if I were to use this board in my own classroom, if my students would be too distracted by the aminations and just the idea of something new. I guess this would happen though in any classroom. I’m sure the newness fades over time.

   Comment by srg205 — September 23, 2007 #
6. 

   I had never used a smart board before and this presentation was very helpful in getting to understand what exactly it is. Your presentation was informative and well presented. You covered all the basics and then some. Very good job. You seemed very comfortable with the technology.

   Comment by Patricia Carroll — September 23, 2007 #
7. 

   I like your presentation very much, because ’smartboard’ is an interesting interactive kid’s friendly tool which just I knew from you as well as I felt so much involvement in your presentation.It seems to me that you are using this tool everyday in your class.But I think that it is an expensive tool,most of the school can not afford it.

   Comment by Jhumur — September 24, 2007 #
8. 

   Jhumur: Good comment–the price point on these things is pretty high. Do, however, look into alternatives. The hardware Terri described (Bluetooth tablets) is, I believe, cheaper. Maybe Terri can chime in on this?

   Comment by tchammond — September 24, 2007 #
9. 

   Carol – great presentation. I’ve never used or been around Smartboards before, but you gave a great presentation that touched all the major features of the boards. It was also very easy to follow. I hope I get the chance to use these in my math classes.

   (I’m on a soapbox here…)
   Jhumur: I agree, a good point about the cost. There’s a lot of state/federal funding out there, especially for schools that are struggling. But it’s general funding that a lot of times needs to be applied for and doesn’t necessarily go to the right specifics. The cheaper alternatives appear to be limited for such a powerful tool as this one. It just seems like one of those tools where it’s better to have the real thing. It would be interesting to see if there are, or could be, some sort of initiatives to get this tool into some of the struggling school districts. Getting a tool like this could be of great assistance to teachers and learners, especially ESL learners. Improving learning improves confidence and knowlege. Improving the academics in a district could create a whole new sense of pride and a new face to the district and surrounding area.

   Comment by Trish Wilson — September 24, 2007 #
10. 

    Yes, many of my students were “wowed” by the SmartBoard the first time they were in a class that was using it. I imagine that this would happen at any grade level. This excitement does fade and get replaced with an expectation that I will be using the SmartBoard and that I may do something new with it. Generally, students tell me that they can see and read the SmartBoard better than the whiteboard and definitely prefer lessons using the SmartBoard than those without.

    Comment by Carol Reed — September 24, 2007 #

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