I'm reading a forum discussion in Classroom 2.0 and find myself questioning the value of a SMART Board. What did it change in the classroom? Nothing, really. Sure, it does have some redeeming qualities. For example, I LOVE that I can write on the board without having to always erase to make more room on the board. The fact that I can hit the board just the same as I can click a mouse is also nice. Despite such niceties, the smart board is just a convenient, more efficient way to do all the things you could do with a computer and projector.What is it really worth, though? A projector is easily purchased between $200-800 and then connected to a computer. A SMART Board and it's software are easily several thousand dollars. At that price, one must consider its real value. If teachers are worried about having to be at the computer rather than the front of the room, a bluetooth slate easily fixes that for an extra $200.
The real question behind a SMART Board's worth is, what advantages does it offer students? The idea with performance standards is to have students perform, but how does the SMART Board really make this happen? One post in the Classroom 2.0 forum wrote:
" I view the smartboards as a "look at me, the teacher. I'm up in front, you're in your seat listening" type of technology, while the projectors and laptops change the dynamic of the classroom in a more powerful way. Now what I really want is a wireless projector!
ps--yes, I know the kids can go up and interact with the board, but in the last century the kids could go up and do a problem on the board too."
And there you have it. The SMART Board is a neater, more efficient white board. How is it to be used beyond a traditional manner? Aren't we simply doing old things in new ways?
ps--yes, I know the kids can go up and interact with the board, but in the last century the kids could go up and do a problem on the board too."
And there you have it. The SMART Board is a neater, more efficient white board. How is it to be used beyond a traditional manner? Aren't we simply doing old things in new ways?
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1 comment:
I agree with your take on SMARTboards. So much of their appeal comes from marketing. They have people come in who make it look so glorious, until you step back and say, "Hey, that's just powerpoint!" I've been crusading against them for a while and am glad to see more and more people recognizing that they don't deliver much bang for the buck.
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