SMARTBoards. Hands-on. Interactive. Engaging.
SMART Technology's SMARTBoard is a staple in many classrooms. Its unique touchscreen
provides users with an interactive method of learning. They can manipulate digital objects
to explore and test their thinking. It is user-friendly and applies to all grade levels and
integrates easily in to all curriculum areas. Here are some of its features:
- touchscreen capability allows users to explore concepts in an interactive manner
- interactive pens and eraser
- built-in speakers
- large display
- screen capture
- SMART Notebook software allows for a variety of formats and activities
Shared Reading
With a SMARTBoard in the classroom, teachers can project a large version of a text on the screen and have a copy of the text in front of each student. Together, the teacher and the students can read, highlight, underline, analyze, discuss, and even mind map using the SMARTBoard. Once the teacher feels comfortable, he/she can share the SMARTBoard's tool with students and allow them to share their skills and thinking while reading a common text.
At the Kindergarten level, the SMARTBoard presents an interactive tool for displaying and sharing the morning message, picture books, and/or poems from which students can highlight familiar letters, words, and repetitive sentences. With the screen capturing capabilities, teachers can perform a quick assessment on each student, having them identify letters and/or words in a text, then capturing a sample of the student's work and saving it for future reference.
At the Kindergarten level, the SMARTBoard presents an interactive tool for displaying and sharing the morning message, picture books, and/or poems from which students can highlight familiar letters, words, and repetitive sentences. With the screen capturing capabilities, teachers can perform a quick assessment on each student, having them identify letters and/or words in a text, then capturing a sample of the student's work and saving it for future reference.
Literacy Centre
The interactive nature of the SMARTBoard makes it a classroom favourite, especially at centre and independent times. With the teacher focusing on a few students, other students can be sharing the pens to complete independent or peer practice activities. There are many Notebook activities which allow students to review literacy concepts. Once students are familiar with the toolbar, they can navigate and practice with little guidance. And the great part is that they are engaged in their learning and will likely not cause management difficulties.
In Kindergarten, students could use the SMARTBoard as a listening centre, listening to a text read aloud by the computer. Students could also use it to review letter recognition, sight words, as well as complete writing tasks, such as lists, letters, and/or invitations. The teacher can use the screen capturing tool to keep the students accountable at the centre.
In Kindergarten, students could use the SMARTBoard as a listening centre, listening to a text read aloud by the computer. Students could also use it to review letter recognition, sight words, as well as complete writing tasks, such as lists, letters, and/or invitations. The teacher can use the screen capturing tool to keep the students accountable at the centre.
Senteos
Students can review the concepts studied in the classroom by completing a teacher-generated quiz or pre-test, using the Senteos. These are handheld devices which communicate wirelessly to the SMARTBoard. Each student is assigned a Senteo and can answer the quiz/test questions, independently. As the students complete the quiz, the teacher can view their success and determine which areas require more practice as well as which individuals could benefit from more review. The data could be collected and displayed in a variety of forms (i.e., graphs, spreadsheet), and then shared with individual students, parents, and/or principal.
At the Kindergarten level, Senteos could be utilized to review colour, letter, shape, sight word, and number recognition. It could also be used as a diagnostic tool to determine what students already know on any given topic.
At the Kindergarten level, Senteos could be utilized to review colour, letter, shape, sight word, and number recognition. It could also be used as a diagnostic tool to determine what students already know on any given topic.