·
Identify
a current technology that has emerged in the last few years that shapes
learning or productivity in your industry.
A current technology that has emerged in the
last few years that shapes learning in my industry is the SMART
Board. The SMART Board is an
interactive white board that helps improves learning outcomes. This technology is combined with a white
board and a computer (preferably-laptop) that allows teachers to deliver energetic
lessons, write notes with digital ink, and saves your work as well (SMART,
2010). SMART Boards are a great way to
keep students actively engaged.
Below is a picture of my students actively
engaged in an educational game from www.abcya.com.
·
What
problems or challenges have been associated with this technology?
The problem associated with the SMART Board
is that teachers do not know how to effectively use the software. Every classroom is equipped with a SMART
Board either mounted or on rolling wheels.
I have noticed that several teachers still have the original plastic
coverings attached to their SMART Board.
Most of teachers who are not using this technology are veteran teachers whose
minds are set that their old system of teaching works just as well as 21st
century tools.
·
What
societal need does it meet, and what are its benefits?
Society plays an important role in meeting
the needs of 21st century technology. The current trends bring you
up to date with the modern standards of the digital and technology age. Society advances rapidly and one must be able
to keep up with these current trends of technology. According to an article by Paula Saine (2012),
she states “As society continues to advance, the demand for digital
technologies in the classroom increase.”
The benefits of technology such as the SMART Boards will help increase
students learning by keeping them focused and actively engaged through game
like activities. The outcome of these
video game similarities are educational tools that students see as exciting and
fun. SMART Boards help teachers to
incorporate the educational needs of students through virtual learning, shared
lessons, collaboration, and helps to create an inclusive environment.
·
What
would make this technology even better, avoiding the pitfalls you identified?
What would make the SMART Board even better
is to have all teachers trained on how to use the interactive software and
tools. Examples of the key tools used
with the SMART Board are the Document Camera and SMART Notebook software.
The Document
Camera helps create engaging lessons with 3D
images, video, and audio. It is accessible
and controlled through the SMART
Notebook 
The SMART Notebook software offers many tools
and features that help create quick, easy lessons. The software supports interactive, multi-touch
capabilities to help students interact with the lessons.
References and Links:
SMART. (2010). Smart technologies. Retrieved
from http://www.smarttech.com/Solutions/Education+Solutions/Products+for+education/Interactive+whiteboards+and+displays/SMART+Board+interactive+whiteboards
Saine, P. (2012). iPods, iPads, and the
SMARTBoard: Transforming literacy instruction and student learning. New England
Reading Association Journal, 47(2), 74-79.
It's interesting that you chose the interactive whiteboard as an emerging technology. I guess because I've had one for so long and every classroom in my school is equipped with one that I no longer view it in that manner. But I guess that speaks to Roger's (2003) definition that a technology is emerging when it's new to a community of practice.
ReplyDeleteI sort of thought the same thing, then realized that not all schools/districts have forward-thinking technology staff. Our district is full of teachers who still requests SMARTboards, but our I.T. department is dead set against them and has, instead, implemented iPad/Apple TV combinations. A lot less expensive, very user-friendly (I was trained in about 15 minutes!), and the iPad can connect to any Apple TV in our district to demonstrate whatever is on the iPad (or MacBook laptops, which everyone in our district has).
DeleteMy theory on the "emergence" of technology is that if a technology has emerged - anywhere in the world - then it has emerged...whether EVERYONE in the world knows about it or not.
Hi Kanelia,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. I though I was never going to get a response. I have friends that teach in Alabama who have not seen a SMART Board in action. Yes, Roger's statement is very true. We do have one in every class but not all teachers are knowledgeable of the software and tools.
Thanks,
Brigit
It is a shame that people do not use the technolgoy or not even know it exists at their location. We have that issue at one of out sites. The SMART Board just sits and no one uses it. At times it has been used only as a dry erase board...its potential wasted.
ReplyDeleteHello George,
DeleteI agree with you. It is a shame. Some of the teachers at my school that do not use technology are mostly veterans. What can we do about this problem?
Brigit
Brigit,
DeleteAdministration has to handle this issue by making sure staff members are adequately trained EACH YEAR on the most life-changing (for students), user-friendly (for both teachers and students) technology in the building as possible. As teachers come and go, new teachers have no idea how to even begin implementing it to improve teaching, learning, and student engagement.
Hello!
ReplyDeleteI also talked about Promethean board on my blog. I love using my Promethean board it accommodates all learners. I agree with you that every teacher needs training on using the Promethean board. Have you received training or did you learn the usage on your own?
Hi Yolandria,
DeleteI have received some training but most of it was on my own.
Brigit