0120-250+Class_Team+7




 * Introduction/History **

SMART Boards are a series of interactive whiteboards that were created by SMART Technologies. It uses touch detection for user input, similar in a way that a computer uses a mouse or keyboard. It was introduced in 1991, and continues to grow in markets throughout the world. The entire operation can be done from both the computer or from the interactive whiteboard, which functions as both a computer monitor and mouse. The whiteboard connects to a computer and digital projector to display an image of what is currently on the computer screen. It can also write using digital ink, by using a pen or highlighter tool that is superimposed onto the screen. There are also different variations of SMART Boards which include front projection boards and rear-projection boards. The interactive whiteboard is used not only in an educational setting, but also in business corporations.


 * Applications in the Classroom **


 * Distance Learning
 * Can be used for a variety of different age groups/ All students respond well to SMART Boards
 * Helps promote interactive learning
 * Accommodates different learning styles. A tactile learner can benefit form touching and marking at the board, visual learners are able to grasp a concept better when shown on the screen.
 * Distance Learning
 * Can be used for a variety of different age groups/ All students respond well to SMART Boards
 * Helps promote interactive learning
 * Can present to the class using "large and vivid images" (smarttech.com, 2011).
 * It also improves accessibility for students with special needs by enabling them to see, read and manipulate information more easily.
 * Helps make the classroom more welcoming to students with special needs because these students are able to see the board, read, and interact with the information easily.
 * Teachers are able to exchange resources through SMART technologies called SMART Resources and SMART Exchange
 * Able to access and present multimedia easily
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Can improve student motivation and interest
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Can easily save the work that you and your class have completed while using the SMART Board (smarttech.com, 2011)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">Advantages/Disadvantages for Students **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Advantages:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Data is available and easy to retrieve for students who have missed class
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Material is on board right in front of them
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">The features of the Smart Board allow students to actively participate in class lessons
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Easy to use
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">The ability to connect to several SMART Boards in different locations can allow students to communicate with people in more than one place at a time, allowing students to collaborate with other students of different cultures.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Disadvantages:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">May cause passive learning because students might not feel responsible for taking notes and actively engaging in the lesson
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">If teacher bases whole lesson on the use of a SMART Board, a student with special needs may not find that the lesson meaningful because it may not be tailored to his or her needs
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Audio learners could have hard time comprehending what material on board conveys
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Takes away doing traditional research
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Stifles a student's creativity
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Interaction with other students is minimized. Communication skills are reverted to technology, instead of face to face


 * Advantages/Disadvantages for Educators **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Advantages: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Disadvantages
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Only one computer is necessary if budget is limited
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Easier to plan a lesson
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Teacher can show the work of the students up on the board, working especially well for math problems.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Teacher has access to many online resources (smarttech.com, 2011)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">When teaching students with disabilities, the SMART Board adheres students who are deaf
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Can be very expensive if put into multiple classrooms in a school
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Takes a lot of training for teachers to be comfortable with using the boards
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Has many different applications - could seem overwhelming to teachers new to the SMART Board


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">Future of SMART Boards **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">A [|SMART Table] is an interactive learning center where students can gather around the SMART Table and collaboratively work and learn together. When using a SMART Table, teachers can create their own ToolKit, using the application through SMART technologies that allows educators to create their own interactive learning lessons (smarttech.com, 2011).


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">Conclusion **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Technology is something that we cannot hide from. Instead of running from it we need to embrace it. SMART Boards enhance the classroom environment we will soon teach in. They are an easy and effective way to convey learning with little training involved for both the students and teacher. Students are going to benefit from the added features a SMART Board brings to the classroom.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">References **

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.waukeshaschools.com/WIT/smartBoard/benefits.htm http://www.smarttech.com [] []

[] Bianca, A. (n.d.). //Disadvantages of smart boards//. Retrieved from [] (n.d.). Retrieved from [|�1�]http://rmtc.fsdb.k12.fl.us/tutorials/whiteboards.html Denisova, A. (2009, September 4). //Smart board: the wave of the future or another way for schools to waste money//. Retrieved from