The Interactive Whiteboard

The interactive whiteboard, also known as a SMART board, was created in 1991 in Alberta, Canada. SMART boards are used in over 1.5 million K-12 classrooms and are also used globally. This unique board contains a computer, a projector, and software. SMART Notebook is the software for SMART board, which allows users to save notes, images, and other media into virtual notebooks. The SMART board can be connected to the users computer and can be operated through the computer, or by the touch of a finger. Since students are becoming more technologically-savvy, SMART boards are becoming a necessity in the classroom. SMART boards are a great way to accommodate the needs of the fast-paced learning of the students. If used appropriately, SMART boards can be an effective learning tool for this Millenial generation. SMART boards have helped students learn in many different ways. Students who learn better through seeing, hearing, or touching now have a better opportunity to learn because of the audio, visuals, and touch screen the SMART board offers. Teachers often let students work problems on the SMART board. Students are able to retain school material better because of the hands-on activities. Emily Goettler, who was an intern teacher at Gray Woods Elementary school in 2009, wondered how students responded to lessons without the SMART board versus how they responded with it. With the help of her mentors, Goettler was able to study her second grade class and see the positive outcome from the use of the SMART board. Goettler claims that her students enjoyed the hands-on aspect of the SMART board, and noticed an increase in class participation, even from the kids who were normally never involved. The mentors notes showed that students would immediately go and sit in front of the SMART board when they saw the Billgren 1

projector come on. The students were more eager to learn when they knew that they would have an opportunity to manipulate the SMART board. Since technology is such a great tool in engagement during lessons, Goettler will use any form of technology that will be available to her in her future classrooms. Jean Tulin, an upper-level math teacher at Knoxville High School and a certified SMART board instructor, says, SMART boards are changing the way teachers do their jobs and widely diversifying the learning environments for their students (McCarthy 1). A whiteboard does not offer audio, visuals, color, videos and access to the internet like the SMART board. Therefore, the SMART board creates more diverse ways to learn. The SMART board is also known for helping students with special needs. Students who have autism can improve their communication skills through group collaboration. The SMART board provides opportunity for group collaboration through various activities that are projected visually. The SMART board is giving students who cannot hold a pen a chance to participate in class. It has been reported that teachers have witnessed a majority of special need students improve their learning skills (Torreno 1). Shena Sanghavi, an Eighth grade special education teacher, uses examples to show how the SMART board uses unique learning styles that keep students interested. Students can dissect frogs, measure angles with an interactive protractor, and watch molecules change as water transforms from a solid to a liquid. Sanghavi also mentions how teachers can make lessons come to life with the SMART board which sparks interest in students. Sanghavi states that students grew up seeing and using technology, so technology should be used in the classroom for the sake of losing students interest (1).

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According to a study published by Swansea Metropolitan University in Wales, teachers agree that active participation and talking about ideas in the classroom helps children learn more effectively (Palbom 1). In todays technologically-savvy society students have become distracted by technology, and this has made it a challenge for teachers to keep up class interest and participation. Students are entertained with cell phones, laptops, and iPods, and are not interested in chalkboards or original whiteboards. The use of the old-fashioned chalkboards and whiteboards are being replaced with SMART boards, which grabs students attention. The goal for all students is meaningful education and social participation, says Alison Inglis, project manager for Upper Canada District School Board (Palbom 1). The SMART board provides superior education while rising conflict among the class during the lesson, giving the students ample amount of opportunities to speak up. In The Advantages of Having a SMART Board in a High School Classroom, Katherine Bradley claims that SMART boards can store data throughout the class lecture and can later be retrieved for review for a test, or can be sent to a student who may have been absent. Bradley says that SMART boards provide a quick assessment with immediate feedback. Students can take a multiple choice test using clickers, and the Smart Board will show what material needs to be reviewed (1). Before SMART boards, books and assignments were sent home to the student who was absent. Now lessons from the SMART board can be sent through E-Mail. This is another logical reason why technology should be advanced in the classrooms. SMART boards have helped keep students motivated, but just like any other technology, the SMART boards do have setbacks. The biggest setback is that SMART boards are costly. Depending on size and model, a SMART board can cost anywhere Billgren 3

between one thousand and two thousand dollars. Another disadvantage for the SMART board is that students may see the chalkboard, and original whiteboard as obsolete. SMART boards, like any other technology, are liable to break down. Students will then have to learn how to stay engaged in class activity without the use of the interactive whiteboard. If teachers are not learning how to use the SMART board correctly, then this can be considered as another setback. The advantages overrule the disadvantages in this case. SMART boards have brought a new spark to learning, and a variety of new learning styles. SMART boards are indeed expensive and may not work on rare occasions, but when students and teachers are interested in learning together, these disadvantages are overruled. Providing a multimedia environment for students has increased engagement, interaction, and group collaboration. The SMART board is proof that technology, when used effectively, can enhance the learning skills in students.

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Works Cited
Bradley, Katherine. "Advantages of Having SMART Boards in High School Classrooms." Global Post. 2013. Web. 23 Nov. 2013. Goettler, Emily. "SMART Board: The SMART Way to Engage Students." 25 Apr. 2009. Web. 23 Nov. 2013. McCarthy, Erin. "SMART Boards becoming Classroom Staples." Galesburg. RegisterMail, 18 Dec. 2010. Web. 23 Nov. 2013. Palbom, John. "The Classroom comes Alive with SMART Boards." Canadian Teacher Magazine. Mar. 2009. Web. 23 Nov. 2013. Sanghavi, Shena. "Using SMART Boards Wisely in Classrooms." United Federations of Teachers . 11 Jan. 2011. Web. 23 Nov. 2013. Torreno, Stephanie. "Using SMART Boards in Special Education Classrooms." Bright Hub Education. 12 July 2012. Web. 23 Nov. 2013.

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