WHITEBOARD
AND SMART BOARD IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
Introduction
Although the first interactive whiteboard was released
in 1991, only in the last several years have whiteboards become a must-have
tool in K-12 classrooms. Fundamentally, an interactive whiteboard combines a
dry erase whiteboard with an LCD projector and is usually mounted on a wall or
floor stand. Powered by easy-to-use software, the whiteboard becomes a computer
screen viewable by an entire classroom. The projector projects the content from
a computer onto the surface of the board while the teacher controls the content
either with a pointer or a touch of the hand instead of a keyboard and mouse.
The combination of software with the projector results in much more than simply
a projected image.
Anything that can be done on a computer monitor, can be replicated on
the interactive white board. A teacher can create engaging lessons that focus
on one task such as a matching activity where students use either their fingers
or a pen to match items. Another teacher might integrate multiple items into a
lesson plan such as websites, photos, and music that students can interact
with, respond to verbally or even write comments on the board itself. Image
size and placement can change with a simple touch to the screen. This
technology makes the one-computer classroom a workable instructional model.
Imagine taking a class on a photo safari to Africa complete with embedded
videos, animal sounds and mapping software.
Meaning
A wipeable board with a white surface used for teaching or
presentations.
Whiteboards
A
whiteboard is a non-electronic variation of the traditional
"rewriteable" schoolroom blackboard, but is white instead of black
and of a material that can be written on with colored markers. Dry erase
markers are easier to erase than the chalk used on a blackboard.
Electronic
whiteboard
Three
categories
1. Standalone copy boards, where
the content of the whiteboard can be scanned and printed out.
2. Peripheral
boards, which transfer information in the form of digital files to an
attached computer.
3. Interactive boards, the most
expensive and sophisticated option, which are like large touch screen monitors
that can be synchronized to an attached computer users can interact with the display, visit
Web sites, and access databases directly from the board.
Classroom
applications for using interactive whiteboards include:
- Multimedia lessons and
presentations including audio and video
- Collaborative problem solving
- Showcasing student projects and
presentations
- Virtual field trips
- Recorded lessons that can be
used by substitute teachers
- Documentation of student
achievement
Interactive
Whiteboards in special Education
•
Interactive whiteboards are being used
in the educational environments to allow for collaboration and interaction
amongst groups.
•
IWBs are replacing chalkboards and white
dry-erase boards.
•
IWBs work off of electromagnetic
(Promethean), infrared or special touch resistive (SMART) technologies.
•
The idea of using an IWB is to allow the
teacher and students to interact with content directly from the board and not
have to stand next to the computer.
Simple
Strategies for Using IWB
•
Hide and Reveal – teachers can use
simple animation or layering techniques to hide answers, objects, pictures,
etc.
•
Flash Media – teachers can take
advantage of the built in flash activities in IWB software, such as the Lesson
Activity Toolkit in SMART’s Notebook software.
•
Websites – there is a plethora of
interactive educational sites which are perfect.
Uses
of Interactive Whiteboards
•
Save lessons
to present to students who were absent
•
Create video
files to teach a software application, a lesson, or as a review to be posted to
the server or web. Example- How to create a graph in Excel or hoe to burn a
projects to cds
•
Use the built
in maps to teach continents, oceans, countries, or states and capitals.
•
Present
presentations created by student or teacher
•
Digital
storytelling
•
Teach whole
group computer or keyboarding skills
•
Brainstorming
•
Take notes
directly into PowerPoint presentations
Smart boards are large interactive whiteboards that
were invented in 1991 by SMART Technologies. The Smart board
uses touch technology to detect user input, as compared to mice and keyboards
attached to personal computers.
The computer’s video output is displayed by a
projector onto the whiteboard, which serves as a large touch screen
Reasons
to have a Smart Board
•
Raise the level of student engagement
•
Increase student motivation- enjoyment
& opportunity
•
Support students with special needs
•
Improve retention and facilitate the
review
Things
You Can Do with a SMART Board
•
Create activities using text, sound,
video and Internet links
•
Present using text, sound, video and
Internet links
•
Write notes and highlight points on
displayed documents, diagrams and Web pages
•
Show video, DVD, CD-ROMS or TV
•
Print, save, e-mail and post
presentations to a website
SMART Tools
•
SMART Notebook
•
Recorder
•
Video Player
•
Keyboard
•
Floating Tools
•
Control Panel
•
Help
•
More (Calculator, Magnifier, Pointer
Tool, Spotlight, Screen Shade)
Writing
on the SMART Board
•
Pick up pen
•
Firm and consistent, hand not touching
board
•
Touch control returns when pen is back
in tray
•
Return pen to tray without saving what
you wrote, it will disappear on next touch
Erasing
•
Pick up eraser
•
Whiteboard recognizes last tool you
picked up, so you can keep pen in your hand as you erase
•
With pen or eraser in your hand, you can
use your hand to write or erase
SMART
Notebook
•
Floating Toolbar appears when you pick
up a pen
•
Save directly into Notebook
•
Push camera button
•
Use your finger to draw around area you
want to capture
•
Ink Aware applications capture whole
screen
•
Notebook opens automatically
•
Notebook Tutorial Help
The Top 8
Reasons why SMART Boards are an essential component in the modern
day classroom:
1. Provides Flexibility: Interactive
whiteboards allow many different forms of media – including photos,
illustrations, maps, graphs, games, and video, to be displayed. These tools not
only enrich the classroom experience but also help to expand the nature of
content that can be used in learning. In addition, SMART Boards makes learning
to be more dynamic owing to the different forms of presenting information.
2. Enhanced teaching/learning experience:
SMART Boards provide new ways for teachers to teach, and student to learn.
These tools support a wide variety of learning styles. For instance, visual
learners can watch as their tutors use the whiteboards to project visual
elements, whereas audio learners can listen and have discussions. On the other
hand, the Boards come with touchscreen capabilities that allow tactile learners
to touch and interact with the board.
3. Interact and share: The interactive
nature of SMART boards offers learners an opportunity to share and participate
in the instructional process. Interactivity provides a platform for students to
demonstrate their grasp of the subject through touching, drawing, and writing.
Every learner has an opportunity to participate or contribute to the presentation
and/or discussion via notebooks and tablets. In addition, the boards provide
for rapid assessment whereby learners can receive immediate feedback. Teachers
and students are able to identify individual strengths and weaknesses in
various subject areas and isolate areas/topics that need more focus or review.
4. Low-Maintenance: SMART Boards are neat
and easy to use. There are no hassles cleaning or maintaining whiteboards. The
data on the screen can be modified using a specialized highlighting tool or
pen. There is no need for using unhygienic chalk or marker pens.
5. Access to online information & tools:
SMART boards allow learners to easily access a rich database of online
resources. Teachers can use the wide variety of online information sources such
as knowledge databases, online video and news items to reinforce their lessons.
Learners can also quickly access the wide range of powerful tools and resources
to conduct research and supplement their usual study material.
6. Going Green: Interactive boards are also environmentally friendly.
They offer teachers an entirely different way of presenting information to
students, which eliminates the need for writing, printing or photocopying.
Which, contribute to eliminate waste and pollution, from over-utilization of
paper and ink.
7. Technology Integration: SMART boards
allows for integration of various technologies in order to improve the learning
experience. For instance, it is possible to attach tools such as microscopes,
document cameras, cameras or video cameras to a whiteboard to aid in
instruction. It is also possible to integrate the interactive learning tools
with a wide range of software applications.
8. Communication: Interactive whiteboards
allow for connectivity in different locations; making ideal collaboration and
distance learning environments. When using SMART boards, student show to
increase student-to-student collaboration and increase overall participation in
the lesson.
Advantages
of Smart board in Special Education Classrooms
Smart board
support inclusive classrooms by offering
students many ways to learn information, express ideas, and demonstrate
understanding. The smart board also allows teachers to address different
learning styles - visual, auditory and kinesthetic. This technology engages all
types of students and facilitates differentiated instruction. A smart board helps students with
autism, for example, improve communication skills through group collaboration.
The interactive whiteboard gives educators the ability to present things
visually, and provide ease in creating and altering activities to control
students’ learning.
For students
with physical disabilities, the Smart board
touch-sensitive surface gives all students the
opportunity to participate in learning. It allows all students, even those who
cannot hold a pen, to write and interact with content using the finger-touch
capability. For students who have trouble using traditional keyboards and mice,
the touch and click ease allow them the opportunity to interact with a
computer.
Benefits to Teachers in the field of special Education
Teachers
enjoy using the Smart board to create visually engaging and
interactive lessons. Since students with special needs frequently respond well
to visuals, the Smart board takes this one step further by projecting
really large visuals. The technology provides teachers with an easy way to
project worksheets, pictures for background knowledge, or any other visuals to
share with the entire class.
Special
educators like the fact that the Smart board
is flexible and gives the opportunity to
change activities quickly. Teachers can create an activity and change it as
students watch. This technology is very intuitive to use, too. While most users
do require some training, most people can walk up and start using a Smart board
immediately. A Smart board
does not require any special software;
software currently installed on a personal computer will work seamlessly.
Teachers who have used Smartboard
report that students with special needs have
made huge strides in learning. Many attribute these gains to teaching with
these interactive whiteboards in their classrooms. If this technology is not
available in your school, advocate for it today.
•
Help accommodate different learning
styles
•
Help teachers streamline lesson planning
and delivery
•
Have positive effects on
–
Student engagement
–
Student motivation
–
Student retention
Conclusion
Overall, incorporating SMART Boards to the classroom
environment is likely to change the way teachers impart knowledge to students
and at the same time simplify the learning process for students. Students will
find it easy to engage with lessons and gain a better understanding of the
overall lesson. It is an ideal tool for any classroom setting. The education
field needs technology like this for students, learners, and educators to
continue to grow in their field.
Reference
Bentley, T. (1992). Training to meet the Technology
challenge. McGraw-Hill Book Company.
Kaur, R. (2006). Special Education: New Trends and
Innovation. Deep Publication. New Delhi.
Srivastava , A.K. (2009). Educational Technology. Kunal
Books. New Delhi.
http://blog.safestopapp.com/smart-boards-classroom
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