Below are a few ideas to consider when using a Smart Board in the classroom. This list is in no way comprehensive, and teachers will likely develop their own particular uses for the Smart Board as they gain familiarity with it.
Keep it interactive
Smart Boards are a wonderful way to focus students’ attention in the classroom, especially in elementary school. Teachers report great success with having students come up and work out problems on the Smart Board in front of the classroom. Because the technology is interesting, children are eager to work with it, and teachers should take advantage of this by having every student come up and work on the board.
Utilize color Teachers can make the text and background on the Smart Board any color they like, and they should take advantage of the brain’s natural tendencies towards memorization. The brain remembers more efficiently with blue or green backgrounds and white or yellow text. The screen does not have to stay this way, but a teacher can certainly use it during lessons where memorization is important.
Save students’ work
Because the Smart Board is connected to a computer, teachers can save the work a student does for later review. When applicable, teachers should take advantage of this feature to assist students after the lesson is over, while the student is working on other problems.
Flip the classroom Some teachers are reversing the way they run some classes. The Smart Board allows teachers to work through a lesson and save it for students to review at home. Thus, students can watch lessons at home, then come into class to work on their problems with a teacher. This may not be ideal for all situations, but it is certainly an interesting option for those inclined to test it.
Use the web
There are vast educational resources available online, from video to text to interactive applications. Whenever a teacher needs to flesh out a lesson, it cannot hurt to do a relevant search to find interesting resources. Enthusiasm is infectious, and a teacher who is excited to demonstrate a new find will transfer that energy to students.
Keep it interactive
Smart Boards are a wonderful way to focus students’ attention in the classroom, especially in elementary school. Teachers report great success with having students come up and work out problems on the Smart Board in front of the classroom. Because the technology is interesting, children are eager to work with it, and teachers should take advantage of this by having every student come up and work on the board.
Utilize color Teachers can make the text and background on the Smart Board any color they like, and they should take advantage of the brain’s natural tendencies towards memorization. The brain remembers more efficiently with blue or green backgrounds and white or yellow text. The screen does not have to stay this way, but a teacher can certainly use it during lessons where memorization is important.
Save students’ work
Because the Smart Board is connected to a computer, teachers can save the work a student does for later review. When applicable, teachers should take advantage of this feature to assist students after the lesson is over, while the student is working on other problems.
Flip the classroom Some teachers are reversing the way they run some classes. The Smart Board allows teachers to work through a lesson and save it for students to review at home. Thus, students can watch lessons at home, then come into class to work on their problems with a teacher. This may not be ideal for all situations, but it is certainly an interesting option for those inclined to test it.
Use the web
There are vast educational resources available online, from video to text to interactive applications. Whenever a teacher needs to flesh out a lesson, it cannot hurt to do a relevant search to find interesting resources. Enthusiasm is infectious, and a teacher who is excited to demonstrate a new find will transfer that energy to students.
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