Created by Jahniaa, Cassidy, & Lily
Tips and tricks for using smartboards
There is no doubt that using a SmartBoard can be a little intimidating at first! For years education has relied on chalkboards or whiteboards as classroom necessities, so a SmartBoard is a big jump from that. When getting started, it is important to remember that there are so many resources readily available to help you be able to use a SmartBoard to its full potential. Simple online instructions will be able to assist you in things like changing the SmartBoard pen size, accessing templates, erasing large areas, preparing presentations, and more! Once your board is installed, simply find what software it uses and you can easily google any question you may have. Something very useful I also found were the YouTube videos that users have uploaded to give you a virtual tutorial. From watching these videos you can get a clear idea of how to execute the feature you are looking for, and they often offer additional tips and tricks along the way! Once a video tutorial is searched, related videos will then pop up in your suggested area which allows for further research and exploration. All in all, SmartBoards have many incredible features that can assist learning in tons of different ways! Make sure you are giving yourself time to access different online resources for your particular software so that your SmartBoard can be efficiently used in class, and you aren’t missing out on its potential!
(sources: http://tldsb.on.ca/smart/pdfs/sb_tipsandtricks.pdf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAt7Yl–wQ8)
Pro:
One benefit of SMARTboards is the low maintenance needed to operate them, and this of course is great news to any busy teacher! Unlike white or chalk boards, materials do not need to be replaced and the mess created by these boards are reduced. As well, SMARTboards allow you to keep the notes that were written during class instead of having to erase them at the end of the lesson. This helps students who might be falling behind to be able reference the notes, as well as to help the teacher keep track of where the lesson left off at the end of the day. SMARTboards are made easy to use, so every class can be enhanced through its use!
(source: https://www.teachhub.com/technology-classroom-benefits-smart-boards)
Con:
One disadvantage to using a SMARTboard in the elementary classroom is the visual impacts it could be having on a teacher’s students. It is important to keep in mind that not all students have fully developed vision and may struggle to look at a screen all day. SMARTboards require visual tracking which involves following a moving object or icon on the screen. This can be hard for young and underdeveloped eyes. Some signs to look out for in students who may be struggling to view the classroom’s SMARTboard includes: watering or rubbing of the eyes, visual fatigue, disruptive behaviour or lack of comprehension on SMARTboard lessons.