tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post7862185799340429131..comments2024-03-28T05:35:07.354-04:00Comments on Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: Why Smartboards are a Dumb InitiativeLisa Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07759123507185453030noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-6938259657422347382016-08-30T20:07:45.475-04:002016-08-30T20:07:45.475-04:00I would like to add to #2. If you are trying to k...I would like to add to #2. If you are trying to keep students engaged you are probably lecturing and you should try a different, more innovative teaching practice (project based learning, making, inquiry approach to learning). Try to limit the amount of time you are talking to the class rather than questioning them about what they are doing.Dr. Doakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05708139813472143182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-2491938633201609832013-03-19T02:26:14.852-04:002013-03-19T02:26:14.852-04:00Hi Innovative Educator
We as an organization firm...Hi Innovative Educator<br /><br />We as an organization firmly believes that learning through technology happens in three ways :<br /><br />Summation of : ( Teacher:Student)+ (Student : Student) + ( Student : Material)<br /><br />Using smart board only serves first part of learning where as actual learning among the students can happen mainly through collaborations and participatory interactions.<br /><br />Today's generation need a technology tool which can keep them engaged i.e learning should be their under their control and teachers to act as a facilitator.<br />Smart board as a technology tool simply becomes teacher centric education which is as old as ages of education we all have bee studying.<br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-79413319088995052532013-02-21T21:25:27.973-05:002013-02-21T21:25:27.973-05:00I feel smart boards are a modern or 21st century b...I feel smart boards are a modern or 21st century blackboards. Having a technology is important but if the same work is done by a transparency, scanner or projector etc why spend money on that expensive tool may use the same expense to get something that would really help the student and their learnings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-38232242687093416532013-02-08T11:07:20.411-05:002013-02-08T11:07:20.411-05:00Smartboard seems to have its benefits for elementa...Smartboard seems to have its benefits for elementary grades. However, it seems worthless for high school subjects. It seems to have some benefits with the math teachers as they can write in problem solving and save their work so they do not have to keep writing it over and over for each class. (But you could do that with overhead transparencies as far as I am concerned). There is nothing on the exchange for my subjects so I spent a whole Saturday trying the activity builder to create one simple activity for my class. I do not have time to spend hours making one simple (not so appealing) game/ activity for my kids. The game templates on the exchange are too elementary for high school kids.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-28619400310863473492013-02-01T16:19:30.865-05:002013-02-01T16:19:30.865-05:00You sound like the proverbial school bully.You sound like the proverbial school bully.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-45645742354030815002013-02-01T16:16:52.410-05:002013-02-01T16:16:52.410-05:00Yes, you can take students on a virtual tour of th...Yes, you can take students on a virtual tour of the Amazon River using your projector and a tablet, using desktop sharing programs, using Google Earth, videos designed specifically for the purpose.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-18877286161762385132012-12-06T20:19:23.285-05:002012-12-06T20:19:23.285-05:00We are currently at the Smart Board crossroads...h...We are currently at the Smart Board crossroads...however, for 1.5 years we have had a useful alternative already in our high school. Each classroom has a large flat panel hooked up to a computer, with an HDMI cable already installed. Each faculty also has a laptop, so all they have to do is plug the HDMI cable in to connect. It has gotten to the point that most faculty are preparing lesson plans and visuals on their laptops, then hooking up to the classroom flat panel, and not even using the computer, except to play DVDs.<br /><br />Right now, admin wants to purchase Smart Boards, but we are going to try the Smart Board overlays so that we don't use the utility of the flat panel screens.<br /><br />Classrooms are small (15-20 students) so the flat panels work well, and there really is no room for a separate Smart Board. Will let you know how it goes.I-LEADhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11868755585181622569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-70855605505090272902012-04-20T17:51:22.300-04:002012-04-20T17:51:22.300-04:00I agree! I just wrote on this subject.
http://edf...I agree! I just wrote on this subject.<br />http://edfocus.wordpress.comMr. Nielsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09172579694982227561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-20483173257002526282012-01-25T16:03:29.396-05:002012-01-25T16:03:29.396-05:00This sure seems like a lot of sound and fury over ...This sure seems like a lot of sound and fury over the best way to bypass young children's natural learning and developmental needs and get them used to serving the Great God TECHNOLOGY. Go cheap, spend big, it doesn't matter if all you're doing is feeding their souls and bodies to the Machine.<br /><br />I'm sure these things are cool, and if I were teaching middle or high school I'd probably use one for certain lessons. I'm also sure that many young children perk up and shine when the IWB is introduced, because manipulating things on screens is fascinating. (We will Leave Behind those children with physical or visual impairments for whom this technology holds no particular joy.) I would hope, however, not to be misled by my enthusiasm for the technology, or the students', into believing that this was a more relevant way of educating them.<br /><br />For the sake of analogy: If we have decided to feed our children thin gruel, let's not debate whether to thin it with bottled water or tap water. We'll oppress them well enough either way.FredOhttp://www.fredkate.libsyn.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-15145256923604080762011-11-03T09:33:37.473-04:002011-11-03T09:33:37.473-04:00Having seen SmartBoards transform our district, I ...Having seen SmartBoards transform our district, I can't agree with this view. Review this post for our experience: http://tdottawa.blogspot.com/2011/09/dumb-smartboards.htmlTDOttawahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00725511694237444038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-32668722564010131152011-11-02T02:49:19.075-04:002011-11-02T02:49:19.075-04:00Actually, an even cheaper alternative, and one tha...Actually, an even cheaper alternative, and one that actually helps the students to interact with each other better are creating your own whiteboards. <br /><br />A real interactive white board for just $5.00<br /><br />I've written about them here, on my school blog. <br />http://gjismyp.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/white-boarding/<br /><br />LiamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-60635439492705055202011-10-20T12:30:04.985-04:002011-10-20T12:30:04.985-04:00Gonna throw my 2 cents in here, and it mirrors som...Gonna throw my 2 cents in here, and it mirrors some of the above, since I'm forced to support these rickety low rent junk boards:<br /><br />The author is spot on that its a dumb initiative, but only focusing on the teaching aspect which is subject to interpretation. Valid points however...<br /><br />Look at it from an IT perspective. The board takes up the blackboard (green or white, whatever) Teachers are forced to use it at this point. How much life do you get out of a projector bulb? 2000 Hours? A year or two at best, with the latter portion of its life span in a dimmed state where the teacher has to shut out all the lights in order for them to just see them. The Bulbs can cost 250 bucks a pop (and they contain mercury, you kooky environmentalists). The projectors themselves tend to die within 3 - 5 years. 700 bucks? Time to replace? Assuming you pre-plan and sneak enough replacements into the budget, how much does that take off your replacement cycle which schools are notorious for screwing up.<br /><br />Second, the boards themselves and the controller cards are subject to failure at an alarming rate. One batch even had bad pen trays. Often half the board will cease to orient and track correctly resulting in the board needing to be replaced.<br /><br />Third, and this is my experience with a particular company that sells the boards...their product cycle is terrible, especially for a school system. If you're staggering models for an entire district, you have many different projector/board setups that make it a royal pain to maintain.<br /><br />Lastly, why are you using Notebook software? Aren't you supposed to be teaching kids and preparing them for the future? Do you think Notebook is going to supplant Office when they get out of school? Notebook software is notoriously bad. Newer versions can't open your older documents, etc. It is not IT friendly as its design is mostly single user (and the morons keep changing the location of the executeables making mid-year upgrades a complete mess for delivered icons). <br /><br />Want a better alternative? You can get an LED TV mounted for much less and use a heavy duty Wacom tablet. No bulbs to replace, little downtime longer lifespan. I know teachers think its neato, but it is not necessary to be in every classroom. Board rooms that use projectors are usually not used 8 hours a day, and they are definitely more environmentally sound then an un-airconditioned dusty class room.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-5465909270549065892011-06-15T17:05:22.864-04:002011-06-15T17:05:22.864-04:00Great blog. I agree that interactive whiteboards c...Great blog. I agree that interactive whiteboards can be an effective tool but not sold on having schools over-spend on having them installed in each classroom. With the rapidly changing technology IWB are becomming outdated and unnecessary for the costs incurred.<br />I think the main argument is 'Are Smartboards from SMART Technologies worth purchasing?' Their boards are one of the few that recognize touch with and without a pen - quite handy for primary school children and those with special needs. Aside from this there are so many other IWB on the market all doing the same function at different costs.<br />I'm against schools rushing out to buy IWB just for the sake of intergrating technology in teaching for a number of reasons:<br />- this large board is hardware which is not easily upgradeable. If you ever have one of the earlier boards (or even 1 yr old) you can see it doesn't compare to the latest ones with works on different firmware and incorporates new functions like multi-touch. What do you do with all those wall mounted boards when they become obsolete in less than a year?<br />- none of these boards are multi-function except to display your computer screen. None are intended/recomended to use with white board makers or post anything adhesive (posters) on them. It takes up prime wall space and forces your teaching in a lecture style manner - not real everyday teaching.<br />- the best (and probably most important) feature of most IWBs may be the software - SMART Notebook is the best I've seen. However these companies don't want to lose money on the costs of the IWB that they tie your hand against using their software on other devices. They know if you use it with a tablet and projector (preferably the interactive projectors like the BenQ MX810ST) there is no need for a teacher to rely on a special board.<br />- I also don't like the fact of students learning to use technology that they don't have access to outside the classroom or later in their career choice. Just bringing back memories of Apple's first introduction in education.<br />Schools are probably better off spending money on professional development on classroom management and effective teaching than wasting money on IWBs. There's always going to be something newer and better. I personally would advise to spend tech money on tablets - this is the direction for the consumer market in the computer world and more beneficial for the teacher AND students.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-29664654052733443502011-02-15T08:15:49.764-05:002011-02-15T08:15:49.764-05:00Wow. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this post, se...Wow. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this post, serious case of the Emperor's new clothing in my opinion. I am a music teacher with 8 years of electronic music production experience. In Australia they gave all these students laptops (should I also mention they keep failing to update that freeware for that one thing everyone needed which was to write percussion scores).<br /><br />I wish they had spent all the money for Smartboards for better laptops, USBs, faster internet connection, video cameras. <br /><br />In my current school, all we had to do was change our methodology, now all our kids can read music, thanks to a few simple $30 tom drums and cheap drum sticks we bought in bulk. <br /><br />Can I also point out, more students can draw on a whiteboard then at the same time on a Smartboard?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-58628886746959621552010-11-29T21:03:49.837-05:002010-11-29T21:03:49.837-05:00I am a parent of a 3rd and 5th grader, attending a...I am a parent of a 3rd and 5th grader, attending a public elementary school on the south shore of Long Island, NY (not a wealthy North Shore district). Our elementary school now has IWBs in every classroom and I still don't know quite what they use them for in the classroom other than a glorified blackboard. I enjoyed reading this post and the comments to see what the IWBs can be capable of - in the right hands.<br /> Both my children have iPads and iTouches because I insisted on it. Both of them use their iPad as e-readers as well, create study cards and are starting to research on them. My 5th grader brings his iPad every day to school and reads his book on it during free reading time. He attempted to use his iPad to look up word meanings, during a vocabulary word exercise, when his teacher stopped him. She told him "there is no skill in looking up word meanings on that" and insisted he look instead in the physical dictionary. This is what we are dealing with.<br />I will not have my children technology-stunted so we integrate their learning with technology at home. I don't really have much choice.KathleenSDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10074946461362999388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-51799136628766298902010-11-19T10:52:30.695-05:002010-11-19T10:52:30.695-05:00As a student who went to school when these first c...As a student who went to school when these first came out, they we're excuses to spend more money on teacher's who couldn't engage students. The only two teachers I remember having with the smart boards used it for english and science. The english teacher used it for sentence structure stuff ie 'correct this sentence' 'label the preposition' which could have been done for $10,000 less with equipment already available. The actual use of smart boards lasted about a week in english when the teacher's 'awe' wore off.<br /><br />The science teacher basically used it to show us web pages, but he already had a projector so that was another $10k waste.<br /><br />I'm thinking the major 'draw' of smart boards is the same kind kids have for new cellphones or Apple merchandise. It's just a gimmick that has all a few bells and whistles that stand as a testament to a mismanagement of resources. Students were stuck with 20 year old text books that literally still considered the Soviet Union a country and teachers had $10,000 drawing pads.<br /><br />Only reason I happened upon this is my friend's child goes to a school that has one in every class room, multiple computer labs with new computers in everyone, patios etc... And it's a little ridiculous. The schools so out of budget they've got school issued credit cards, Market Day, Box Tops, Fund Raisers and are constantly sending home letters asking for more donations.<br /><br />I mean schools with little to no budget can manage to teach essentially the same thing and receive high marks for it. There's nothing wrong with supplementing learning with technology, but it seems technology comes before learning now with this new generation of 'innovative' teachers.<br /><br />Definitely not saying don't fund schools or anything close to it. What I am hinting on though, is that you don't need to spend a 100 grand to raise test scores or teach students. What's more important is learning to engage students, and there are hundreds of thousands of books and psychology articles on that exact subject.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06237634451800640771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-33343809889315845912010-10-17T23:15:39.827-04:002010-10-17T23:15:39.827-04:00Wonderfully said!!! I never did see what the use o...Wonderfully said!!! I never did see what the use of smartboards was! I couldn't agree more. :)Katherine Kirbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06533919694237885642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-84433840353397084452010-08-25T00:18:37.269-04:002010-08-25T00:18:37.269-04:00@Anonymous student, thank you for your insightful ...@Anonymous student, thank you for your insightful feedback. If you're interested I'd love to publish your thoughts in a post here on this blog where you share your experience as a student in a class(es) with a smartboard. If you're interested please email me at lnielsen.professional@gmail.comLisa Nielsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07759123507185453030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-91996401206119144702010-08-24T21:09:28.639-04:002010-08-24T21:09:28.639-04:00I am a student and i hate smartboards...
Half the ...I am a student and i hate smartboards...<br />Half the teachers are clue less on how to use it and waste half the class time trying to figure it out. In a recession like this we shouldn't be wasting our money on smartboards while the kids are having to print out there own homework at home.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-78470957012928481342010-07-19T18:37:34.985-04:002010-07-19T18:37:34.985-04:00It just depends on what kind of smartboard you buy...It just depends on what kind of smartboard you buy. Check out http://smartboardkit.com. They sell shareable smartboards that work on any flat surface. That way, you can buy one and use in a bunch of classrooms. They're affordable too.fgudenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05343381721221940441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-89241685651637971852010-07-04T18:12:31.227-04:002010-07-04T18:12:31.227-04:00Oh my goodness, it's amazing to me that people...Oh my goodness, it's amazing to me that people on here who haven't spent any significant time teaching in a classroom w/ a IWB would dare to declare how "useful" & "financially responsible" it is for districts to spend tax dollars on them - I've spent the last 3 yrs. teaching elem. music w/ a SMARTBoard, & here's the deal:<br /><br />1. The SmtBrd is a LARGE MUSCLE ACTIVITY - uh, can you say "Kindergarten"?! How well can your average 5 yr. old write 1/2 inch tall letters w/ paper & pencil on a straight line? I'll tell you - not nearly as well as they can use their finger (!) to draw letters a foot tall! (which they can then re-size, change color, turn upside down, all w/ large muscle activity, NOT a little bitty arrow-pointer thingy). Using a mousepad on a laptop isn't remotely comparable to using a Smt Brd when it comes to ease & APPROPRIATENESS of use for young children. This applies to older elem. children also, their need & desire to use large muscle skills is still dominant for many years after Kind. - ask your P.E. teacher (or your music teacher!).<br /><br />2. Two kids working together on a laptop usually works great, it's what we almost always do in my class. Three on a laptop, not so well. Four (?!) on a laptop? I guarantee you, two of the four in that group aren't doing anything. Four on a SmtBrd? They have to take turns, but it's easier, & more meaningful, because they can all easily see what's going on - four kids crouching around & squinting at a 13 in. dimly lit screen is bad for their eyesight, & in my experience, tends to lead to arguments.<br /><br />3. Just because a Smt Brd can only be touched by one person at a time, it doesn't mean there can't be collaboration - my classes have created dozens of collaborative projects that everyone contributed to - yes, we all have to wait our turn, but so would the whole class if you were using just a projected image from a computer. We use dozens of websites that have movable Flash & Shockwave objects that cue sounds, actions, etc. - sure, you can do this w/ a mouse, but it doesn't have the same effect upon students as when they can actually TOUCH what they're creating. <br /><br />Until districts either start supplying classrooms w/ a laptop or an iPad for every student, IWBs are the best way to give ALL students in a school access to technology on a continual basis, & (in an elem. school) in a way that matches their skills & abilities.musitechobloghttp://musitechoblog.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-15719421602455926172010-06-29T10:51:25.879-04:002010-06-29T10:51:25.879-04:00There are some very compelling arguments here. Let...There are some very compelling arguments here. Let me say that I've been using a Smart Board for years, and I find it to be just one of many excellent technology tools. <br /><br />I do agree with our host blogger that the expense may not justify the benefit. I disagree with most of the brainstormed ways to replace the Smart Board. <br /><br />As a few have noted here, people who use the Smart Board as a glorified overhead projector have probably not had enough training on its use.<br /><br />And, with all due respect to The Innovative Educator, a properly used Smart Board can be one of the most interactive tools available, not to mention a solid tool for differentiating instruction. @austx7306 bears this out, I believe.<br /><br />Finally, I would gladly trade my Smart Board for 30 ipads, if my district could affort it. Since funds are short, I'm happy the district has decided to work toward putting Smart Boards all around our school.<br /><br />Thanks for starting this excellent discussion.Mark Barneshttp://www.learnitin5.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-6773030922601195932010-06-23T06:50:39.947-04:002010-06-23T06:50:39.947-04:00I agree with the article. Smart Boards are CHEAP ...I agree with the article. Smart Boards are CHEAP compared to real innovation: giving every kid an ipad, laptop, etc. Can you imagine if we loaded ipads with all the texts a kid would need that year? Put in the 3G capability (this would avoid overloading the already stressed out infrastructure) and one has a doable 1-1 solution. But the administroni have tried everything to avoid this! They'd rather put Smartboards in the classroom because even a cheap 1-1 for a classroom is going to run 35,0000 per class, as opposed to a 2-8,000 SmartBoard....NoraLee9http://facebook.com/noraleekleinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-30487700938008003152010-06-22T17:02:24.112-04:002010-06-22T17:02:24.112-04:00You are forgetting one part of the equation -- the...You are forgetting one part of the equation -- the student. The students needs to be part of the interaction and should be at the board most of the time not the teacher. If the teacher uses the interactive software to set up lesson it then becomes a resource for the students to use not the teacher to lead the class. If you bring in the Student Response systems and portable pad for students to use from the class it is changing the way we teach.austx7306https://www.blogger.com/profile/02698830624651466202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-46379992358437410972010-06-03T21:06:49.546-04:002010-06-03T21:06:49.546-04:00@marksrightbrain, while I am very passionate about...@marksrightbrain, while I am very passionate about the work I do on behalf of the NYC DOE, as I write in my disclaimer, the opinions expressed in The Innovative Educator are strictly those of the author and contributors and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of the NYC DOE, the AVP or any other entity.<br /><br />I write as an individual, not as an endorsement of, or because of, the NYC DOE or anyone else. In fact I have often wrote on topics unfavorable to my employer that you may have found in your search. Such as in this UPI news story http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2008/05/16/New-York-teachers-learn-cell-phone-lessons/UPI-73241210967597/ and this story covered in a local paper http://www.nysun.com/new-york/education-dept-restrictions-on-blogs-rile-a-staff/76126<br /><br />My motivation is sharing ideas about educating innovatively, not to support any particular entity.Lisa Nielsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07759123507185453030noreply@blogger.com