Smartboards in the Classroom

I've compiled a number of other funding sources on my portaportal.  Type in "newsomlang" in the guest access box to enter my portaportal.  Be sure to check the category called "Grants" and look at the links. 

Attachment(s): http://www.portaportal.com/

Finding funding for new SmartBoards can be challenging.  It's essential that we all take a pro-active approach and seek out funding sources that can help us obtain this effective interactive teaching tool for our students.  This is a summary of possible funding sources as compiled by the George Lukas Foundation, which does not fund directly.

Good luck!

Attachment(s): http://www.edutopia.org/foundation/grant.php

Here are some Language Arts lessons using the SmartBoard.  This group is intended for grade five.  You can change the grade level for more lessons for your class.

Attachment(s): http://education.smarttech.com/ste/en-US/Ed+Resource/Lesson+activities/Notebook+activities/Correlated+Search+ca.htm

Here's the link to the search database for Social Studies lessons. Note that these lessons are tied to Standards as well.
Attachment(s): http://education.smarttech.com/ste/en-US/Ed+Resource/Lesson+activities/Notebook+activities/Correlated+Search+ca.htm

Here's a link to Smarttech.com's searchable database of math lessons.  Enter the grade you teach and then search.  Notice that you can click on Standards as well.
                                            

More to follow.

Here's a link to English Language Arts lessons that are tied to standards.

Attachment(s): http://education.smarttech.com/ste/en-US/Ed+Resource/Lesson+activities/Notebook+activities/Correlated+Search+ca.htm

Here's our latest update of the "How to Blog" quick reference guide for teachers.

Attachment(s): HowTo Blog 21507.doc

Here is a link to my portaportal account.  Enter "newsomlang" in the guest access box.  Look at the categories called "A is for America".  These are active websites that contain original source documents on the American Revolution.


Attachment(s): http://www.portaportal.com

Here is recent research on the effectiveness of using interactive whiteboards (SmartBoards and other similar devices) in the classroom. 

                                       
                                      
Attachment(s): interactive_whiteboard_research.pdf

Here's another website that has wonderful SmartBoard resources for you.
Click on the URL below.


Attachment(s): http://www.fsdb.k12.fl.us/rmc/tutorials/whiteboards.html

Here's another website I like that is searchable by content area and grade.

A template is a background slide.  You can't manipulate the objects in the template, but you can add text to it using a text box.  The URL below lists an excellent website with SmartBoard templates organized by grade and subject. 

Enjoy!

Attachment(s): http://www.center.k12.mo.us/edtech/SB/templates.htm

Here are some basic formatting ideas for creating your SmartBoard lesson.

• Keep your presentation short - no more than 6 pages for 30 minutes.
• Make your first slide really interesting.  It's what the kids will see when they come into your classroom.  Check out the wonderful templates in the gallery - see "people" then scroll down to the last section. Look for the "classroom" template.  Personalize with your name in a textbox.  Add your "aim" or"to-do" and you're ready to start.
• Use colorful backgrounds.  It helps get their attention.
• Remember the rule - bright background - dark font/ dark background - light font.
  
• Always project your lesson before the kids arrive.  Check to see what they will see from the back of the room.  Remember, the color you see on the laptop will not be the color you project.
  
• Remember to use your second slide well.  Make it the instruction slide and be sure to include new vocabulary. Try hiding the definitions behind the words and have the kids "discover" the meanings below.
• Make your third and fourth slides the heart of your lesson.  Be sure that they are interactive (require the kids to get up and come to the Smartboard), multimedia (use those flash activities in the gallery) and use the Internet resources.
  
• Slide five is your connecting slide to follow-up activities.
• Slide six is your conclusion.  Hint:  Match the background color to the first slide. 
  

Be creative!

Go into the SmartBoard notebook and open the gallery on the side tab.  Look just under "Essentials for Educators".  There is a link called "Online Resources".  This link connects you to websites that have ready-made lessons that utilize the SmartBoard. 

Go exploring!

Okay.  You've absorbed a lot.  Here's one more pdf just in case you missed something.

Attachment(s): smart board tools.pdf

Here's a pdf file that will help you see that your SmartBoard has connected with your computer correctly.  This pdf file is for MAC computers.  (MACs rule!). 

More pdf files for PCs to follow...

Attachment(s): sb_basics_mac.pdf

Here's a pdf file that has another hands-on activity to help you learn how to use the keyboard and the camera shot capture feature on the SmartBoard.

Attachment(s): basic functionalitymac.pdf

Now that you've learned how to set up your SmartBoard and explored all its tools, you're ready to begin creating lessons for your students.  But where do you start?  Here's a pdf file that gives detailed instructions with a hands-on activity for practice.


                                       
Attachment(s): Smartboard LessonPlanningmac_notebook_classroom.pdf

Now this pdf file has really good detailed instructions on all floating tools you can use.  Wondering what all those buttons are for?  Check out the attached pdf.

Attachment(s): floating%20tools%20toolbar%20mac.pdf

The SmartBoard has a variety of interesting tools.  These tools include pens, highlighters, magnifier, camera shot and keyboard.  Here's a pdf file that includes instructions on how to use these tools.


                                               
Attachment(s): smart board tools.pdf

Attached is a workbook of all the tools used with the SmartBoard. 

Attachment(s): FundamentalsLearnerWorkbook.pdf

Setting up your SmartBoard can be daunting. Here are some basics:

* Each device has a power cable.
* Connect the SmartBoard to the laptop using the USB cable.
* Connect the laptop to the projector using the VGA cable.
* Make sure to have the power cable connected to the laptop.  The
   SmartBoard draws its electricity through the laptop and will drain the 
   laptop's battery very quickly.

Here's a link to the SmartBoard website with more specific instructions on orienting your SmartBoard.

Attachment(s): sb6_hardware.pdf

One of the most powerful tools teachers can have in their classrooms is an interactive whiteboard like a SmartBoard.  It is a unique device that enables us to reach students who learn through multiple learning styles.  It allows teachers to reach the learner who just can't sit still.  It helps teachers reach the tactile learner who learns by touch.  It thoroughly engages visual and auditory learners.  It accomplishes the first rule of teaching - "First get their attention and then keep them engaged." 

But now that you have a SmartBoard in your classroom, what do you do next?  This blog contains information to help you develop your SmartBoard skills and fully utilize this amazing teaching tool.

Make sure to comment on your experiences with a SmartBoard in your classroom.  Contribute lessons that you've created that have reached your students.  Collaborate, contribute, encourage.  Together we'll learn.

Be sure to check out the research section on the right that has links to Howard Garner's 1983 book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences as well as the more recent research on Differentiated Instruction, Learning Styles and Understanding by Design.

See the lastest research on the Effectiveness of Interactive Whiteboards in the Classroom, also in the research section on the right.

Enjoy your SmartBoard and engage your students!
 
                                       

{Tags: SmartBoard, Differentiated Instruction, Multiple Modalities}

Armstrong, Thomas. Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1994.

Armstrong, Thomas. 7 Kinds of Smart: Identifying and Developing Your Many Intelligences, New York: Plume, 1993.

Armstrong, Thomas. In Their Own Way: Discovering and Encouraging Your Child's Personal Learning Style, New York: Tarcher/Putnam, 1987.

Armstrong, Thomas, "Utopian Schools," Mothering, Winter, 1996.

Armstrong, Thomas. "Multiple Intelligences: Seven Ways to Approach Curriculum," Educational Leadership, November, 1994.

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Multiple Intelliaences CD-ROM, and Multiple Intelligences Video Series; 1250 N. Pitt St., Alexandria, VA 22314-1453 (800-933-2723).

Gardner, Howard. Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. New York: Basic,1983

Gardner, Howard. Multiple Intelligences: The Theory in Practice. New York: Basic, 1993.

Gardner, Howard. Intelligence Reframed:  Multiple Intelligences for the 21st Century.  New York:  Basic, 2000.