New technologies in schools. SMARTBoards Chloe Patmore

What is a SMART Board? A SMART Board is an interactive whiteboard. SMART Boards allows students and teachers to use touch to control applications on the board. SMART Board comes with four digital writing pens that use digital ink. SMART Board also uses pop-up buttons such as a keyboard or a calculator. SMART Board is a projector, computer, and whiteboard all in one. It uses any Microsoft Windows applications and can be used in any classroom or business room. Chloe Patmore

Cost of a SMART Board The cost of a SMART board is a range between about $3,000 and $10,000 dollars. It is broken down by the following: SMART Board is $1,200 to $3,000 LCD Projector is $750 to $3,000 PC or MAC is $750 to $4,000 Projector Light Bulb is $50 to $150 =$3,000 to $10,050 Although this seems like a high price, in the end it will save money. It cuts down on the costs of expo markers, erasers, white board cleaners, and white boards themselves. It is possible to earn grants in purchasing the SMART board and the nation fully supports having these in the classrooms. Kaitlyn Geary

Positive Aspects of a SMART Board You have the ability to control a computer application by simply touching the board. It is easier to write notes and illustrate diagrams and ideas. It uses electronic ink Notes taken on the smart board are able to be saved, printed, and ed. The electronic ink pens do not require batteries which will not prevent a teacher from teaching. The boards are interactive and colorful which encourages student learning. It connects the subject being taught to technology In all, students are addicted to the SMART Boards. Kaitlyn Geary

Negative Aspects of a SMART Board The SMART Board is a very expensive technology, especially in this economy Technology is unreliable, there will be unexpected repairs if the SMART Board malfunctions The SMART Board is hard to write on when the teacher’s shadow blocks the image There are lots of cables when you hook up a SMART Board, this causes clutter as well as a safety hazard It is also very difficult to write neatly on the SMART Board which contradicts the main benefit of the board Leone Vorster

Karen Mason's intermediate class - fourth through fifth graders says she loves it!!! "This game is more fun than having them stare at a map," Mason said, as students approached the board and moved each state from a jumbled mess onto their correct map placement. “We’ve seen the positive instructional impact SMART Board interactive whiteboards have had on each and every student. Lesson delivery has improved, students participate more in class, and everyone is excited about learning,” says Jack McLeod, director of Bellevue School District’s facilities and information services. “Our Web-based curriculum also necessitates digital delivery in the classroom and easy-to-use software for teachers, so we equipped not only every school with SMART Board interactive whiteboards, but every classroom.” says Jim Shoemaker, instructional technology curriculum specialist at Bellevue School District Tasha Dickey Teacher’s Opinion of the SMART Board

Kids love it too!! Here is a quick video to explain how much the teachers and the students love using the white board. Tasha Dickey

A Short Summary of the SMART Board SMART Boards are used in the classroom The boards use digital vision touch technology and notebook software to make the class more interactive for both teacher and student Why are they easy to use? The costs involved when purchasing a SMART Board are one of the major cons Leone Vorster