Team 2_3

= Using Technology In The Classroom: SMART Boards =

__ Introduction __
Technology is a major part of our lives today. It affects how we learn from others and how we teach content to our students. In the past decade, technology has been introduced to the classroom in its many forms, on of which is SMART Boards. According to Mike Kennedy (2012), technology has impacted the way students learn and creates an environment in which students are engaged, excited to learn, and motivated. This Wiki page will share with you the definition of a SMART Board, issues that have occurred, advantages/disadvantages, and the direction that the SMART Board plans on going.

__ What Is A SMART Board? __
A SMART Board connects to a computer which links to a screen that students can interact with. The features of a SMART Board include a white board, computer, and an overhead projector. Teachers using these boards can write, click, highlight, and perform activities while teaching lessons to students. Besides teaching students content material, teachers can use the SMART Board to read over the textbook, highlight important concepts, and add notes, all of which can then be saved to be used at a later date. Lastly, the teacher can download games on the SMART Board for students to play with. The board also enables teachers to send projects and items to their students who are home sick, in the library, or in a different work spaces (Giles, R.M., & Shaw, E.L., 2011).

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__ History Of New Concept/Tool __
SMART Boards were first introduced in 1991 and have been increasingly finding their way into more and more classrooms all over the world. The original SMART Board offered front projection, but soon after in 1992 the rear projection models were introduced. The rear projection SMART Board was created to help prevent damage to the eyes of the user from the projection beam. A few years later in 1997 a rear projection SMART Board that could mount on the wall was created. The 1997 SMART Board became outdated in 2001 when an updated, better model was created. The newer software of the 2001 edition offered recording software that allowed audio and video files to be played right from the internet. It was much beneficial for teachers to teach students effectively. In 2003 the flat screen SMART Board was introduced and was of course a major hit. Today there are a variety of SMART Boards available with a variety of different types and models that best suit your classroom or facility (The History of Smart Board Technology, 2013).

__ Issues With A New Concept/Tool __
Common Troubleshooting Symptoms and Solutions: For further troubleshooting issues contact SMARTtech by phone, email, or chat at http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Support/Contact/default.htm (SMART Board Troubleshooting Tips, 2013).
 * Red light on SMART Board: this means the SMART Board is not communicating with the computer.
 * Blinking green light: this means the SMART Board is communicating but the software is not working.
 * Steady green light: SMART Board should work!
 * When the SMART Board pen doesn't write correctly, there are dead spots, or you can't draw a straight line: this means the SMART Board is getting grounded out. The board needs to be moved away from metal or magnets.
 * Computer mouse stays in the corner of the SMART Board: this means metal from the chalkboard is affecting it. Find the box with the lights in the bottom right corner of the board. See if it is touching metal or being affected by the chalkboard. Put a barrier, such as cardboard, between the SMART Board box and the metal.

__ Advantages With Using A SMART Board __
By using a SMART Board, students are provided with the ability to interact with prerecorded sounds, such as listening to animal noises. Students can also watch simulations and graphics, which can help them stay engaged in their learning experience. Games can helpful for students when reviewing before a test or to help students understand the material more in-depth (Giles, R.M., & Shaw, E.L., 2011).

The board helps support different learning styles that students have such as spatial, auditory, visual, and bodily kinesthetic. The size of the screen makes it possible for students to be physically involved in their learning. SMART Boards are able to assist teachers in their assessment of their students learning by using interactive programs. The board also has programs that test the students on concepts and experimental procedures without asking the questions in reading and writing form. Along with assessments, the SMART Board can boost a student's self-esteem and help them build confidence in front of the classroom. Students also have the opportunity to show their creative side while working with the SMART Board (Preston, C., 2008).

A SMART Board also allows a teacher to instruct their classroom in a more efficient way. With the SMART Board, a teacher is able to draw upon a variety of technology-based resources without loosing pace of the lesson. Without having to switch to a different tool, the teacher is able to show video clips, images, word documents, PowerPoints and is also able to write on the SMART Board itself as if it was a regular white board (Tapscott).

__ Disadvantages With Using A SMART Board __
A disadvantage to using the SMART Board is that one student can only be working on it at a time. For instance, on a white board that is installed in the front of the classroom, multiple students could be up at the board working on math problems all at the same time. When using the SMART Board, only one student at a time is able to interact with it, making it more difficult for all of the students to get their turn to participate (Opinionated, 2011).

Another disadvantage with the SMART Board is that if the projector doesn't work, then the board itself can not be used. In order to even be able to use the writing option on the SMART Board, it needs to be run through the projector. If a problem would happen where the SMART Board wouldn't work, a teacher couldn't just write on it as they do a general dry erase white board (Opinionated, 2011).

A SMART Board may also be a disadvantage for students with special needs. Students who have a visual disability may have trouble seeing the content that is displayed on the board, or the way that it is projected may be a problem as well. Often times the projection of an image onto the board maybe harder to see rather than just showing that student an actual picture they can hold in their hands. The SMART Board could also be a disadvantage for students with physical disabilities. The SMART Board is interactive tool and students are able to move objects around, click on different objects as well as writing on the board itself. If a student has fine motor issues, it would be hard for them to feel included in the white board activities (Vize, 2012).

__ Future Direction Of A New Concept/Tool __
According to, Why Choose SMART, purchasing a SMART Board for the classroom setting can be seen as being a long term investment into the education of students. Technology is advancing along with the techniques and tools used to forward the education of students. The future direction of the SMART Board is that the number of boards installed in school districts will increase once it is realized what a great investment it truly is.
 * • When purchasing a SMART Board, a broad range of training and professional resources are available in order to guarantee the success of the product. The teacher is able to be trained in the different aspects of the product in order to take full advantage.
 * • There is also a wide range of services and support to make adoption of the board run smoothly in the classroom. For instance if a problem occurs and the teacher does not now how to handle, there are support systems that can help take care of the problem.
 * • The SMART Board also provides easy to use products that reduce set up time for teachers. Meaning that because the tools that come along with the board are so efficient, teachers can spend less time focusing on the presentation of the lesson, and put more effort into the content of what is being taught ("Why choose SMART?" 2011).

__ Conclusion __
Technology is becoming increasingly popular in classrooms. SMART Boards are only one tool that can be used to help students progress in their learning. Since being introduced in 1991, SMART Boards have become increasingly popular and have updated their software to keep up to date with students ever changing learning styles. Students are able to use the board to increase their knowledge on a certain subject area and can become more involved with their learning. It can be hard for both teachers and students when the SMART Board does not work. Teachers should be prepared for these surprises and have an alternative activity prepared. Lastly, SMART Boards are a great investment for any school to help their students learn in a different way and stay involved with the changing technological world.

__ References __
1. Giles, R.M., & Shaw, E.L. (2011). Smart boards rock!. //Science & Children,// 49(4), 36-37. 2. Kennedy, M. (2012). Education technology transformation. //American School & University,// //84(7).// 3. Opinionated. (2011, September 5). Electronic whiteboards.Retrieved from [] //4.// Preston, C. (2008). Use of smart boards for teaching, learning and assessment in kindergarten science. //Teaching Science: The Journal Of The Australian Science Teachers Association,// 54(2), 50-53. 5. SMART Board Troubleshooting Tips (n.d.). In // Rockingham.k12 //. Retrieved October 10, 2013, from www.rockingham.k12.va.us/./SmartboardTroubleshootingwindows.doc 6. The History of Smart Board Technology (2013). In // GTEACH //. Retrieved October 10, 2013, from http://www.gteach.com/the-history-of-smart-board-technology.html 7. Tapscott, D. (n.d.). Children of the digital age. Retrieved from [] 8. Vize, A. (2012, August 2). Smart board disadvantages: Kids with visual needs. Retrieved from [] 9. Why choose smart?. (2011). Retrieved from []