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I was wondering if it was worth all the fuss to fundraise to get them sooner, but it sounds as though it is.Smartboard is a brand name of an interactive whiteboard.
yer I know, just put that in because me and me sis-in-law had a bit of dispute around the Christmas table. Her school has smart boards, not interactive whiteboards.
I was supposed to get one last year but was "robbed" when someone else got it. Very disappointed.
I'm getting one soon. I love them and can't wait.
They open up so many opportunities. Like the photocopier changed things (in the olden days). LOL
Interactive whiteboard offer "well" interaction. Children can manipulate objects on the board, thus making lessons more interesting. I teach young kids and they get so excited, awareness and concentration improves and children are more willing to be involved. A small example. Instead of writing sentences on a whiteboard and getting kids to fill in the missing words. I created a page with the sentences on it. The kids clicked on the words at the bottom and dragged them to the right position. Pretty basic but the kids loved it. There are also many web pages already designed for use. I spent many hours one night just playing with them. FUN!!
You can converse with other schools across the globe and share lessons, experiences etc.
I think most schools would have a few now. Eventually all classrooms will have one. Many schools are putting funding into buying them (this is on top of the Govt allocated ones). How much and what did Gov't allocate? Our school has 3. they are planning on purchasing 3 a year. It just doesn't sound right as it will take about 8 yrs to get one per class.
I'm only beginning to use them but am really looking forward to getting one in my room. I'm thinking I might not get home until much later then.
the only disadvantage (so the teacher said) is that they can't keep "stuff" up in the corner of the board - ie, spelling words for the week - while operating other programs.
I use a Smartboard one day a week, it is just another tool to use. It has it good and bad points.
The downside at our workplace is... (I'm glad you added "at our workplace" as most of the things you listed are not Smartboard problems)
a) Go & get laptop, carry to classroom, open, sort out leads & plug in and connect all leads to Smartboard, start up computer and log on - BANG there is 10 - 15 minutes added to my preparation time.
We get laptops provided with the IW
b) Won't play DVD's our technical support person is trying to work out why.
Don't know why
c) We don't have whiteboard markers left in our classroom, so if I need use the ordinary whiteboard (or Guest Speakers do, I have to go and get whiteboard markers).
Why not? I have the space all ready for mine. I will have a whiteboard next to it for writing lists etc. I like to put things up with magnets also.
d) We have construction going on near our classroom, Smartboard vibrates up and down most days with the "Shakes".
Join the club. Our school is a major construction zone.
e) Couldn't tell you the number of times I have been writing something up on whiteboard and it just disappears - so it is back to the laptop to open a word document and type up what I wanted to write on Smartboard.
When I missed out on the last allocation I was asked if I wanted one of the old ones but I got so sick of hearing teachers complain about the problems I said no thanks, I'll wait.
f) Smartboard was positioned low so a person in a wheelchair could use, students have to lean either side of person in front to read last quarter of Smartboard or stand up.
Yeah. The one in our computer lab is like that. I teach kindy so it will have to be a bit low otherwise will need a step for them to reach it.
As I said another teaching tool and it requires additional time to set up and pack up each day.
Problem is with internet being down too. Some classrooms have no ordinary whiteboard so can't put anything on a board. You really need both.
BANG 10 - 15 minutes to turn off, unplug leads, pack away and return to laptop etc. to technology cupboard.
Then you have the added security concern re being logged into internet with your log in - so when you leave classroom at breaks, remove thumb drive after laptop tells you it is safe to do so & log off & relog on & insert thumb drive again when you come back from breaks and open up the document you were using after security screening.
I'll report back when I get mine. Hopefully the advantages out way the disadvantages. I love technology so am looking forward to it. I'm in the computer lab for 4 hours this week while they put boards up in my room so intend on giving the IW a workout then.
Regards
Sheryn
On the first day back at school my ten year old realised two of her friends mums were more than just friends.