| The days of talk and chalk are but memories. For | | | | subject in the curriculum and every age group |
| generations of students, going to school has | | | | benefits from having a smartboard in the |
| always been a part of growing up which they | | | | classroom. For example, in vocabulary, a list of |
| may have endured rather than enjoyed. For | | | | words or phrases relating to a particular topic can |
| many, the highlight of the school day was the | | | | be randomly written on the smartboard. Students |
| sound of the dismissal bell. | | | | can be asked to place the words into groups |
| Today's kids must wonder what all the fuss was | | | | which demonstrate some relationship, such as all |
| about. These days, being at school is stimulating, | | | | words containing 'ai' or 'ion'. The students are then |
| enjoyable and (dare we say it) fun! There are | | | | able to move the words around the smartboard |
| many reasons for this change of attitude, including | | | | until everyone is satisfied with the groupings. In |
| the increasing use of technology in the classroom, | | | | addition, colors can be changed and different fonts |
| in particular the introduction of smartboards. | | | | can be used to emphasize a group of words. |
| A smartboard is a large, interactive touch screen | | | | The benefits to students are beginning to be |
| connected to a computer and projector. A | | | | recognized by teachers and parents alike. Lessons |
| teacher and a group of students are able to use | | | | using a smartboard appeal to kids with a short |
| the smartboard at the same time. How does it | | | | attention span and they love being actively |
| work? The teacher prepares a lesson on his or | | | | involved. The level of truancy is dropping as |
| her computer which is intended for display on the | | | | learning becomes more enjoyable and kids |
| smartboard. Once the material is projected onto | | | | become eager to contribute to each session. |
| the smartboard, the content may be manipulated, | | | | Students with hearing or visual impairments also |
| deleted or added to, either by the teacher or by | | | | benefit as they feel a part of a larger group and |
| the students. Words and pictures may be moved | | | | are able to interact more easily with their |
| around the screen by using a mouse or keyboard, | | | | classmates. |
| or by manually 'picking up' data and dragging it to | | | | On the downside, there are some people who |
| a different part of the smartboard. New text can | | | | wonder if the coming generations will lose the |
| be added or removed when appropriate. A | | | | ability to read a book, forget how to use their |
| student can be invited to the front of the class to | | | | imaginations, or be unable to concentrate for a |
| move an image or write on the screen using their | | | | reasonable period of time. Of course, there is |
| fingers rather than a pen or pencil. Can you | | | | always the danger that someone may forget and |
| imagine the thrill of touching the smartboard with | | | | use a real pen or marker on the screen which can |
| your fingers and moving a picture up or down, or | | | | prove to be an expensive mistake. |
| dragging it from one side of the screen to the | | | | But despite these concerns, the smartboard is |
| other? And how exciting it must be to watch a | | | | here to stay and unpleasant memories of school |
| word appear...as if by magic! | | | | will soon be a thing of the past. |
| There are many uses for a smartboard. Every | | | | |