DD4: Smartboard Workshop

After attending the workshop on smartboards yesterday, I learned some interesting things on the uses of this technological device. A smartboard is a large board with a touch screen. One is able to project a computer screen on a smartboard to show a classroom of students and to help assist with teaching. Because of its many uses, I feel like a smartboard can help teachers enhance their instruction and increase student engagement during lessons.

Using a smartboard in the classroom allows teachers to support students of all different learning styles. Teachers are able to project any instruction or pictures onto the smartboard screen which can help the visual learners in the class. Auditory learners are able to listen to the sounds the smartboard provides which can be followed by a class discussion for further learning. The smartboard is useful for tactile learners as well because it has a touchscreen that allows students to get out of their seats and interact with the smartboard for a hands-on learning experience. This device can be very helpful for teachers if used in creative ways.

For example, as a future educator, one way I would use a smartboard in my classroom would be to have an interactive class activity. Instead of giving students a worksheet to complete at their desks, I would have an interactive game on the smartboard and allow each student to come up and solve a problem on the board in front of all the other students. This is similar to our class activity during the workshop when each student came to the board and added their own touch to the picture we created together. I think this is an effective way to teach students because while one student is completing a problem on the board, the other students are able to watch and learn. When the student goes to the board, he/she will be motivated to know how to solve the problem correctly because they know the entire class is watching. Students also have the opportunity to ask questions while solving problems on the smartboard, which allows the teacher to help all the students that may have the same question. Playing games with the entire class on the smartboard is a great way to engage the students and make them want to actively participate in the lesson.

Another way I could use the smartboard to help enhance my instruction as a teacher is through the usage of the webcam and video option. When I was in high school, my teacher got surgery and was away from school for a couple of weeks. Using the smartboard in our classroom, we were able to talk to her through the webcam while she was at home. In my classroom, on days where I cannot come to school, I can talk to my students using the webcam, or the software for webcam use, and still be able to give them their assignment and answer any questions they may have. Teaching through the smartboard can be effective for both visual and auditory learners because they can observe their teacher moving and listen to him/her talking on the large screen. If used in this way, the smartboard can help classes stay on track and not fall behind. In all, I believe that the smartboard device gives teachers the opportunity to make their classes more effective, interactive, and fun, and ultimately make their students enjoy learning.