Team+2_5

= SMART Boards  =

=__ History of the SMART Board __= David Martin and Nancy Knowlton founded smart Technologies in 1987 and are now the Chairman and Vice Chair of the board. SMART is the parent company that founded the first interactive SMART Board (also known as interactive whiteboard) in 1991. The SMART Board interactive whiteboard was the first interactive whiteboard that provided touch control of computer applications and the ability to write over standard Microsoft Windows applications. This marked the first time in which teachers did not have to hide behind their desk in order to use computer programs, it allowed them to remain at the front of their classroom while carrying on with and enhancing their lessons using computer programs. Since the first SMART Board, SMART has been making strides to innovate and better their products for their users. It appears that SMART came out with a slightly new and improved version of the interactive whiteboard every two to three years since 1991 to reach the most up to date version that exists today. This shows their devotion as a company to enhancing the experience and influence of using the SMART Boards.

One of the big enhancements made to the interactive whiteboard came in the 2001 model that offered recording software so that teachers could play audio and video files straight from the Internet. This gave them a major benefit when it came to teaching students. Also, this gave teachers the ability to record their lessons and use them at a later date. Another big advance in SMART Board came in 2003 with the development of Digital Vision Touch Technology. With this technology, digital cameras are used to track finger and pen movements on a regular flat panel screen. The two most recent enhancements include the 2009 version, which allows for dual touch SMART Board use that allows two people to work on the SMART Board simultaneously. There is also a new version of SMART Notebook Software – the Math edition, built especially for educators who teach Mathematics on their SMART Board interactive whiteboards. Today, there are over 2 million SMART Boards that have been installed in L-12 classrooms that are used by over 40 million students and their teachers. SMART products are currently used in more than 175 countries.

=__ Using a SMART Board __= One of the greatest features about Smart Boards their practicality in use. The SMART notebook software that the board uses to function is very much like other commonly known software programs (Microsoft word, PowerPoint, etc.). This makes it easier to recognize icons to make the program more efficient in use. One of the most unique features of SMART Boards are their ability to recognize touch. SMART Boards give users the ability to write on them with special markers, move things around with a finger, and erase things using your palm. One aspect that takes the SMART Board further than a white/chalk board is its feature that allows you to highlight what you just wrote as well as screenshot what you just wrote. For example, consider a student that needs help on a math problem. The teacher can go through the problem with the student on the SMART Board. Then he/she can save what is written on the Board at that time and send it to that student or have it saved into a file on the computer. This feature can help teachers create a repertoire of readily accessible and useful tools if their students ever need them.

media type="youtube" key="0U05WeXPGlk" width="560" height="315"

=__ Disadvantages of a SMART Board in Education __= There are numerous advantages of SMART Boards in school classrooms as well as many disadvantages. The first possible disadvantage is the cost. With all of the money problems that school districts have it is hard for them to afford smart boards, especially one in every classroom. On average, with the setup cost included, SMART Boards are about $3,500 retail price. The SMART Boards alone are fairly expensive but the cost may become greater once one considers the cost of training the employees that will be using the technology, as well as the maintenance that will be needed for the software to remain updated.

Another disadvantage of having a SMART Board in the classroom is the possibility of the teacher feeling overwhelmed if they do not have enough training or experience using the software. If they do not receive adequate training they may completely disregard the SMART Board and waste the money spent to put one in the classroom to enhance student learning.

Another problem with SMART Boards is the dependence that the class has with it. One thing that could be problematic would be if the SMART Board broke down and thus would be unusable for the day. If teachers are creating their lessons and activities through the SMART Board programs there is definitely a dependence on them. Teachers will need to have a backup plan for everything that they do on the Board which may call for even more time spent creating lesson plans. Another thing that could happen is a student may become dependent on a SMART Board. If a student is then moved into a different classroom with the traditional whiteboard or chalkboard they may have difficulties adjusting or remaining engaged.

=__ Advantages of SMART Boards __= There are many advantages that can be seen from having a SMART Board in the classroom. Studies have shown that SMART Boards can actually enhance a child’s education. Education has been leaning ever more towards helping children acquire 21st Century skills. These skills can include gaining a deeper understanding of concepts, more emphasis on real world skills that a child with have to deal with in the future, and the allowance for multiple measures of mastery in certain skills (Kuehn 2010). SMART Boards will help children acquire these 21st Century skills.

There was a study that was conducted to see how well students performed after they had been exposed to a learning environment that had a SMART Board. Students first took a test to assess their knowledge previous to learning with the enhancement of the SMART Board. Another group of students (the control group) took the same assessment. The first group of students learned using the SMART Board while the control group of students learned in a more standard classroom setting. The students who had access and exposure to the SMART Board while learning actually ended up having higher test scores than the control group of students (Clemens, 2001). This shows a huge advantage of the SMART Board. Currently, education is so greatly influenced and shaped around testing. If SMART Boards can help improve student’s learning and engagement then it may help improve their test scores as well.

Another advantage of SMART Boards is their ability to get the students interest and attention. The world today is becoming increasingly technological and technology is embedded in our students’ lives every day. Taking this into consideration, it only makes sense to implement technology into the classroom whenever possible. This will enhance the students’ engagement and interest in their education. SMART Boards show kids that learning can be fun and is relevant to them.

According to the NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) technology is an essential part of the learning environment (NCTM, 2008). Technology, one of the six principles fundamental to school mathematics programs as outlined by NCTM's Principles and Standards. It helps the students learn in different types of ways. No two students learn best in the exact same way, thus, the many different functions the SMART Board has to offer can help reach more students in a single lesson. A SMART Board is one of those pieces of technology that is appropriate for the classroom and can enhance the teaching of students.

=__ Teacher Sharing __= One of the greatest aspects of SMART Boards and their programs is the fact that teachers from all around the world can share ideas and lessons with one another. SMART Technologies has a website (exchange.smarttech.com) that allows educators to upload ideas, lessons, etc., to the website and share them with anyone. Teachers can find, evaluate, and download ready to use digital content created by educators, education publishers, and SMART. The website allows you to choose from specific grades, subjects, or standards. The website also contains options such as new software, teacher recommended resources, top downloads, and recently shared items. The capability of teachers to share ideas can greatly enhance student learning. Instead of one teachers ideas, the students can gain education from thousands of different teachers ideas.

=__ References __= (March 2008). The Role of Technology in the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics. In NCTM. Retrieved October 10, 2013, from []. (August 2008). What is 21st Century Education?. In 21st Century Schools. Retrieved October 12, 2013, from []. Clemens, A. (Summer 2001). Math Intervention “SMART” Project (Student Mathematical Analysis and Reasoning with Technology). Retrieved In Smart. October 10, 2013, from []. SMART Technologies. SMART, 26 June 2012. Web. 13 Oct. 2013. . What are the disadvantages of using smart boards in the classroom?. (n.d.). Retrieved from [] Integrating technology in k12/smartboards in a classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved from [] The disadvantages of a smartboard. (n.d.). Retrieved from [] Smartboards and smart classrooms: Knowing the difference. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://sites.southseattle.edu/classrooms/smartroom-vs-smartboard