The+Smart+Board+and+21st+Century+Learning

= Assignment #1: New Technology Tools: = =The Smart Board & the 21st Century Librarian =

Smart Board Overview:

 * What is a Smart Board?** A Smart Board is a large interactive white board that is connected to a computer and a projector. The projector projects your computer screen onto a large touch sensitive screen. Whatever you see on your computer monitor, you now see on the large whiteboard. You can move, click, and write on the board using your finger or special infrared pens and you can control your software from the board or your computer. Essentially the Smart Board becomes a giant computer screen, large enough to be seen through the entire classroom and your finger becomes the mouse. It is operated by you standing next to it and touching the screen.

**10 Reasons to Use a Smart Board in the Classroom or Library Resource Centre:**
1) SmartBoards can be used to provide a shared learning experience in a highly motivating setting. 2) Appeals to tactile, auditory and visual learners. 3) Can be used at all grade levels to motivate students. Kids are drawn to the board. 4) Can be used effectively in a one computer classroom or library and maximize otherwise limited computer access. 5) Great for group interaction and engaging students. Students love to interact with their classmates and the board. 6) Work produced by students is typically more creative. 7) Colourful, graphically rich presentations are visually stimulating and hold students' interest longer. 8) Invites active collaboration amongst students. 9) Easily used by and appealing to special needs and ESL students. 10) Students can directly manipulate objects making learning a truly kinesthetic experience

**Ways to use the Smart Board in the Classroom or Library Resource Centre:**
1) As a simple teacher presentation tool to show lessons, videos, powerpoint and notebook presentations etc 2) As a tool that allows students interact with thousands of interactive websites in any curricular area (Web 2.0 websites) 3) As a student interaction tool where students can work together to create their own presentations using Notebook or other software 4) As a student presentation tool to present Notebook or Powerpoint presentations etc.

How the Smart Board can be Used to Support Student Learning at Anderson School:
We received a SmartBoard at Anderson School this past spring through the generous donations of parents. We would like all staff to learn to use the rolling Smart Board to support student learning. As teacher librarians, we would like to educate staff so that they may use this wonderful technology to motivate students and help connect kids to great learning resources. At a Smart Board professional development session on September 24th, 2010, we will present Anderson staff with an overview of what they can do with our new Smart Board as well as with an introduction to notebook software. We will also focus on a lesson showing use of the SmartBoard to teach note taking for a research project.