Are Smart Boards Needed in a Computer Lab?

Submitted by ccs-knights on Thu, 06/05/2008 - 12:12pm.
ccs-knights
Posts: 1

Hello everyone.

My name is Batavia Domingue and I am a Technology Instructor at a private school located in Stockbridge, GA, about 25 miles south of Atlanta. I have been in technology for over 15 years but I had a strong desire to teach technology.  I was afforded the opportunity to do so last year and have jumped right in.  It's amazing to see how my students are so eager to learn and how much is out there for me to teach them.  I am still learning all about the free tools, software, and curriculum that is out there that deals with technology but now I am faced with a problem that I really need help with.

My fellow IT colleague and I are having a debate that I would love some assistance in supporting my point.  They say that smart boards ARE NOT needed in a school computer lab because the content that we teach does not require it.  I beg to differ but I have no concrete evidence and lessons that support why I should be allowed to have one in the lab.  It seems to me like there is so much that I could do with a smart board but I am not sure what?  I figured that you, my DEN supporters could help me prove them wrong.

Any ideas that you may have would be greatly appreciated.  If I can show them how and why I need to purchase two boards (one from the elementary lab grades K-5 and the other for the middle/high school lab) then I truly believe that I could and will be able to take our students to next level educationally and technologically. 

Thank you so much.

Batavia Domingue

‹ lesson plans needed for teaching world religions to sophomores Interactive Whiteboards ›
--

Ms. B



Thu, 06/05/2008 - 9:41pm
dscott1012
Posts: 1

I've taught technology in a lab setting to K-5 students for the last 3 years. I have to say that I am completely at a disadvantage when the Smartboard doesn't work. My classroom management style consists of my modeling the day's lesson on the Smartboard, while students are at the carpet area. We then clarify, monitor and adjust as students do it with me, and I check for understanding. Students then go to their personal computer to practice what they just learned. Without modeling at the carpet area, students are truly lost. They have trouble following along at their individual computer while I use Synchroneyes. When at the carpet area, we can use and go over any handouts or other aids before touching the computer. The students are focussed on learning and can't wait to go to the computer. They know that they will not be able to touch the computer until they understand what their 'job' for the day will be (standard/s). It is very difficult to teach a student all the steps in a process (for example: opening Word, typing a poem, and saving it) without them seeing it modeled first. Young students can't use a manual either. Having a writing prompt template at the computer helps, but only if they have seen how to use it first. I've seen teachers use one computer with all students crowded around to see it, but it truly isn't as effective as using the Smartboard. The Notebook software offers the teacher so many tools to aid in instruction as well.

 I know the junior high teachers in my district don't use the carpet area, but the students are locked out of their computers (using Synchroneyes software) while the student watches the teacher at the Smartboard first.

I'm not a sales representative for Smart Technologies, but I believe every classroom could benefit from one.



Sun, 06/08/2008 - 11:46pm
thomask1
Posts: 11

I definitely agree that interactive whiteboards are the way to go.  I personally do not have one in my lab but my lab is hardly used anymore with all the laptops all the teachers are using.  Most of our classrooms at my school have an ActivBoard. We don't actually use the "smart board" but we use the product from Promethean, that is what our county supports.  So our software is ActivStudio for our upper grade levels 3 -5 and we have started using ActivPrimary for our 1st and 2nd graders.  Right now we only need 6 to finish out our whole school.  It has made such a difference.  For one it is interesting for the students to watch, it comes with a plethora of resources, you can make flipcharts for ours from anywhere.  Also students love to come up to the board and use it, it really engages the students and helps them learn the material.  You can teach a whole lesson and be able to interact with students and not have to constantly be at a computer and not be able to pay attention to the kids.  I think the lab is the perfect place for an interactive board because in the lab you need to monitor students so much.  You need to make sure they understand what you are asking them to do.  I could see it being a huge advantage in any classroom.  Looking at the high school atmosphere, I feel like students in our county would be miles ahead if they would have had the technology in elementary school that we have now. I hope you can convince them.   

Katrice Thomas

--

Katrice Thomas



Tue, 06/17/2008 - 12:34pm
pattersondebra
Posts: 2

Hello there



Thu, 07/17/2008 - 9:12am
bj59adams
Posts: 2

Brian Adams

 I have been teaching in a lab situation for 4 years now.  My first  year I used a screen and projector.  For the past three years, I have used an Interactive whiteboard (not Smart, but a different brand).  Using the interactive board with my lessons was a lot more interactive for my students.  I usually show the students at the start of class what they will be doing using the board.  I have students come to the board and help as well.  That way then the students go to work independently they are more familiar with the task rather than just watching. 

--

Brian Adams



Mon, 07/28/2008 - 2:28pm
melissa.middleton
Posts: 1

I am not a technology teacher, but  I think any visual learner is going to benefit from this approach. There are so many different kinds of learners so you are bound to help someone by having a smart board. I know that if I was in your class I would benefit from one. So I would say do what you can do get one!



Mon, 08/04/2008 - 5:08pm
sheltonr1
Posts: 3

I have been asked to present an inservice in a lab on how to use technology in the High School English classroom.  The lab does not have a smartboard in it, and I'm wondering how I'm going to present.  As mostof the other comments have stated, I use the Smartboard to demonstate what I want the kids to do, and often, I have them creating smartboard lessons and presenting them.  It's so interactive, even the high school kids love it.  Yes, it's an necessary tool!



Mon, 08/04/2008 - 5:09pm
sheltonr1
Posts: 3

I have been asked to present an inservice in a lab on how to use technology in the High School English classroom.  The lab does not have a smartboard in it, and I'm wondering how I'm going to present.  As mostof the other comments have stated, I use the Smartboard to demonstate what I want the kids to do, and often, I have them creating smartboard lessons and presenting them.  It's so interactive, even the high school kids love it.  Yes, it's a necessary tool!



Mon, 08/04/2008 - 5:10pm
sheltonr1
Posts: 3

I have been asked to present an inservice in a lab on how to use technology in the High School English classroom.  The lab does not have a smartboard in it, and I'm wondering how I'm going to present.  As most of the other comments have stated, I use the Smartboard to demonstate what I want the kids to do, and often, I have them creating smartboard lessons and presenting them.  It's so interactive, even the high school kids love it.  Yes, it's a necessary tool!