Smartboard for a Technology Challenged Teacher

    
         I walked into my assistant principal’s office on the last day of school for teachers this year filled with excitement about my summer that was about to begin.  I was going to have a look at the schedule board for next year to see when my planning period would be and what classes I would be teaching.  The principal and the assistant principal looked at me with one of those looks that said “you are not going to like what we are getting ready to tell you.”  My principal looked at me and said “Christy you are getting a Smartboard in your classroom for next year.’’   I explained to him that I do not want a Smartboard and he quickly explained that I don’t have a choice and will be getting one anyway.   What a way to crush that beginning of the summer euphoria, it was replaced with dread and anxiety.  The thoughts that popped into my head were:

·   I don’t want a Smartboard

·   I don’t know what to do with a Smartboard

·   I'm very fond of my Dumbboards

·   I envision this Smartboard malfunctioning in the middle of every lesson and I will be standing in front of my class having no clue how to fix the situation

·  The students will know more about this piece of equipment than I do

     I mean come on, I can barely operate the laptop I am using to write this blog.  It has been nearly a month, and now that the initial shock has worn off, it is time for me to look at the benefits of using a Smartboard or an Interactive Whiteboard in my classroom.  Robert J. Marzano highlights three features of the interactive whiteboard that have a statistically significant relationship with student achievement in an article for Educational Leadership. 

1)  The learner-response device is the ability of the whiteboard to record student responses to questions generated by the teacher.  The results of student responses are displayed in a bar graph or a pie chart.  This tool automatically increases student engagement with the lesson.  The use of these devices was associated with a 26 percentile point gain in student achievement.

2)  The use of graphics and other visuals to represent information lead to a 26 percentile point gain in student achievement.  This includes the use of downloaded pictures and video clips from sites such as Google Earth or You Tube to enhance lessons.

3)  The Interactive Whiteboard Reinforcer allows teachers to present information in unusual contexts and signal students that their answer is correct.  These applications include dragging and dropping correct answers into specific locations, acknowledging correct answers with virtual applause, and uncovering information hidden under objects. These practices were associated with a 31 percentile point gain in student achievement.

     Marzano is quick to point out that the Smartboard alone will not improve student achievement.  Teachers must thoughtfully consider the ways that this tool can be used to improve the quality of instruction, enhance existing lessons, and increase the level of student engagement.  As an Algebra 1 teacher, I found the following video intriguing as it features a teacher demonstrating a couple of ways that the Smartboard can be used to enhance an Algebra 1 lesson.







There are also many valuable resources available to teachers like myself that have never used an Interactive Whiteboard.  The next video is a quick tutorial on using the Smartboard for users that are just getting started. 







The Interactive Whiteboard can be used to enhance existing lessons or there are a number of websites that offer ready to use lesson plans that will work with the Smartboard such as Scholastic or Smarttech.  I had envisioned a period of relaxation starting July 29^th when Graduate School is complete; however, it appears that I have a great deal of planning to do in order to make the most of the new technology that is making its way into my classroom.