Blog #6- SMARTboard

Technology becomes more and more prevalent in our lives daily! It really revolutionizes the idea of UDL! After Monday's demonstration of the multiple uses of the SMARTboard, I wonder why it's not being used more in classrooms. I know that many schools don't have the funding to have SMARTboards in their classrooms, therefore, when classes do have a SMARTboard I think it's such a waiste if it is not used to its full potential. I have only observed the SMARTboard being used minimally: as a projector when used with the ELMO, and to display headings and topics for students to copy from. There have a been a few instances that students watch video demonstrations from Brain Pop, and math websites, but again very limited usage.

I wonder if it has to do with a lack of training. I mean, I know if I didn't have the full demonstration we had in class, I wouldn't have any idea of the potential SMARTboard has! I think every teacher, or anyone for that matter, that has the chance to use a SMARTboard, should be fully aware of all its features. If they can't attend  training, we have discovered that in Smart Notebook there is a tutorial. I'm also sure that there are you tube videos; what ever the mode, training/tutorial is a must!

I was really blown away by what the SMARTboard has to offer. I immediately thought to all my students. typically developing and those with special needs, and the concept of UDL. First of all, lets talk about engagement! Teachers can keep their students attention by all of the "tricks" they can incorporate in their lessons. I'm still blown away by the "tunnel" trick, and being able to link objects to the internet or other pages within the presentation. All of these features help differentiate for different types of learners; it caters to everyone's learning style. A lesson can incorporate visual text which the teacher or the students can write in. It can incorporate video clips, and interactive websites. It can include online games as a review. It can also offer read-alouds, and even voice recordings. Different colors can be used, which is visually stimulating, and helps teachers organize different concepts within a lesson. Being able to have a screen shade helps build anticipation, but also helps students focus on one concept at a time. It really helps incorporate creativity into lessons, which I find is really lacking in many classrooms.

I really like that the SMARTboard is not only an instructional tool, but also an adaptive tool. It really helps include all students in lessons, regardless of their ability. Students who have fine motor issues can benefit from simple clicks, drag and drop features, and even using a tennis ball, or even their head, in place of a pen! This technology would be great for a student like Sarah who has Ataxic Cerebral Palsy, and uses a wheelchair. She can interact in classroom activities by coming up to the board and answering questions with ease. The screen that the students are working on can be lowered so all the students, despite if they are in a wheelchair or just not as tall as other students, can have access to the board. For a student like Jack who has fine motor issues this would be great also! It's also engaging technology, which he enjoys, and interactive graphic organizers can created for him, that the entire class can benefit from, and can create collaboratively. Audible explanations can even be added in as links for him incase he needs a reminder when reviewing on his own. The best part is any presentation can be saved and looked back at, which is a great teaching tool!