Instructional Use of Smart Bards

Description/Experience

The technology discussed in class this week was the white board.  These interactive boards are also known as smart boards.  It is a large computer screen that the whole class can participate with.  The white board is a touch screen so it is very easy for the students to interact with it.  Because it is so big, younger students who have not mastered fine motor skills do not have difficulty selecting items.  With the white board, the internet is available to you can access website and online activities for the class to engage in.  There is a pen and a hand hand clicker available with this board for the teacher to use.  Also, many laptop or desktop computers can be connected to the smart board.  This allows teachers to control what is being displayed on the screen.

Application

Because I am in kindergarten I would probably choose to use a whole class activity that the students could participate in.  A whole class assignment would be beneficial for these students because they could work together and get information off each other.  I would use the online program “Star Fall” and create an activity for the students.  They have an activity on this website for students to help them learn the months of the year and the days of the week.  Students can individually choose the day on the smart board and the month.  When these are picked, the computer says the words out loud for the students to hear.  This is good for the students so they hear and see the information.  Also, this is a good lesson for students to recognize the words and use their fine motor skills.  I would know if the students learned the information and what they needed help with through observation. 

The first ten minutes of this lesson will begin by introducing the program and the technology to the students. I will explain how the program works and what information the students will have to know.  I will also explain to the class how to use the pen to select their answers and move on. 

During the next five minutes, I will choose one student to come up and use the smart board.  The selected student will select the month on the smart board followed by choosing the day.  After the student selects the month and day, the whole class with go over the information and say the full date together.

The last five minutes of the lesson will be spent discussing the month and day as well as the smart board.  Aside from going over the information, I will have a discussion on the technology with the class to get their feedback.

Reflection

In this activity, many different features and resources were used.  Illustrations and information were presented through the white board to the students.  Demonstrations and examples were given as well.  Student can see the information being given and hear it during this lesson.  Also, they can interact with the board and feed off each other for information and strategies.  This is beneficial for students this age when completing this assignment.  Students learn the days and months of the year better by hearing them and choosing the correct answer.  

Students will be more successful using the information in the lesson because they have their peers to help them.  Not only can the student help each other, they can work together to find the answers and to use the technology appropriately.  Because students take turns completing the lesson each day, they can learn from each other and see how their peers use the technology.  

I would have to make sure each student got a chance to complete the assignment and show their knowledge on the subject.  Also, I would have to make sure all of the students were able to use the technology and successfully see the information being given.  

In this activity, not only do I present the information to the students but they use the information with the technology independently.  This teaches the class the information and gives them the opportunity to learn about the white board.  

Using this technology enhances the way a teacher can present information to the class.  By using the smart board, students can see the information and interact with the activities.  Without the white board, students would not be able to choose the month and match the date up wit the day.  This allows the students to choose the day of the month and select the right day of the week.  This technology also allows the entire class to see the calendar and the date that day.  

The main focus in the activity would be the months of the year and the days of the week.  After this activity, students should be able to recognize the information and use in with the technology.  I would evaluate the students use of the smart board and their understanding of the information through observation.  Without this technology I would not be about to full see if the students could pick the date and drag it to the correct time of the week.  

I think smart boards are very useful for students of any age.  They allow for an engaging, exciting activity.  When using the white board, students are eager to learn and participate.  Also, this technology allows students to interact with information in a different way and show the teacher their understanding of what is being taught.