Created by Jahniaa, Cassidy, & Lily
What are smart boards?
The SMARTBoard, also known as the Interactive Whiteboard, was developed by SMART technology and introduced in 1991. Smart Boards look very similar to your average whiteboard except they have the added advantages of a touch-controlled screen that works in connection to your computer and a projector. SMARTBoards’ use a resistive technology, meaning there is a small air gap between the board and resistive material, that allows users can press on the board with a pen or a finger and it will respond as a desktop mouse would. SMARTBoards can be written on with the use of digital ink. When a pen is removed from the colour slot, the tray senses what colour has been selected and the colour will correspond on the board! SMARTBoards are being used all over the world, especially in classrooms to enhance teaching and learning experiences! (source: https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-do-smart-boards-work)
Pro
Interactive → more engagement
Student engagement and motivation is perhaps one of the most important parts of an educator’s job. With the use of a smart board, students are able to gain interactive learning experiences and participate in hands-on learning in the classroom. Educators are able to plan lessons so that students can engage with the SmartBoard and demonstrate their learning in different ways by interacting with the SmartBoards and their peers. This efficient and effective technology also provides opportunities for students to work together, strengthening both their technological and social skills. When students are collaborating and actively participating in class their learning outcomes can surely benefit and can often allow for more diverse inquiry and questioning. SmartBoards allow students to take their learning to the next level! (source: https://syntheticsmarts.com/smart-boards/)
Con
One con, like with all forms of technology, is the technical difficulties that are often associated with these technologies. This becomes an even larger issue when teachers are improperly trained. Not knowing how to resolve a technological issue associated with the Smartboard results in wasted class time, and might even leave the teacher without a lesson or a place to demonstrate their lesson. Without proper training, teachers may not be maximizing the use of the board, which reduces the benefits and makes it harder to justify the high cost. The challenge is providing teachers with enough training to be able to make the most of this educational tool! (Source: Disadvantages of Interactive Whiteboards)