TLC and SMART Boards

Since the first year of the millennium, NMU has been issuing laptop computers to full time students as a part of the Teaching, Learning, and Communication (TLC) initiative. In addition to distribution of personal computers to the students, NMU has been recognized by the President of the United States for its innovative uses of technology, specifically with the implication of the WiMAX network. WiMAX is a city wide wireless internet signal, accessible to anyone with a university login and a computer with either a portable or built in modem specific to WiMAX.  Having a distributed computer and free unlimited internet access has greatly enhanced my learning experience.

Also in regards to the TLC initiative and to stay ahead of the technological curve, Northern has installed SMART Boards in several classrooms.  I have had the pleasure of learning basic functions of SMART Boards. Though the use of SMART Boards in the classroom has sparked controversy, they are a great addition to any classroom.  However, if a teacher is not properly trained in at least the basic functions of the boards, they will be of little to no advantage and can actually be a setback, as I have witnessed from a professor’s learn-on-the-go attempt.

At this time (01/2012), I have not received formal training on the use of the SMART Boards. However, I do have experience using them.  When a  group of mine and I were offered the opportunity to use a SMART Board to deliver an in-class presentation, we jumped at the idea. While the other groups resorted to the more familiar PowerPoint, we took on the challenge of learning a new, more advanced tool. By viewing several online tutorials, we were able to train ourselves basic functions of the SMART Board.

The most basic and universally beneficial function is the ability to control a synched computer simply by touching the board. Regardless of what program or internet website is being used to teach from, a finger acts as the computer mouse. The Smart Board also acts as a white board in the sense that the image projected from the computer can be written on.  Furthermore, writing can either be saved as a new document on top of the original, or the writing can be simply deleted. Smart Notebook, a computer application specifically designed for the SMART Board allows for use similar to that of a standard white board, but with the ability to move notes around with the touch of a finger and open up multiple tabs which allows for virtually unlimited space.

I have read several mixed reviews of the SMART Board’s integration into K-12 classrooms. Contrary to the experiences of many, there is no question that SMART Boards are an amazing advancement for teaching in any classroom. The trouble lies within the training teachers are receiving in how to teach with SMART Boards.