Module 2: Emerging Technologies Tetrad

Emerging Technologies Tetrad

SMART Interactive Whiteboard

Enhances: What does this technology do that is new?

The SMART board streamlines the teaching experience by enabling teachers to engage students with interactive lessons while simultaneously accessing and controlling all of the classroom technology (SMART, 2010). With the interactive whiteboard, teachers are allowed to write in digital ink with our fingers or a pen, as well as interact with applications and save notes. SMART boards are use with computers or laptops. Therefore, using the Internet with a group of students is not a problem. With the Interactive whiteboard, information can be presented where all students can see what is posted. SMART (2010) interactive whiteboard systems come up with SMART Notebook collaborative learning software. This software sets the standard for creating, delivering, and managing interactive lessons within a single application.

Obsoletes: What does this technology replace?

This technology replaces lots of things that may have been categorized as technology during that point in time. The SMART board has definitely replaced the overhead projectors that were and are still used in some classrooms. Overhead projectors were used to enlarge images on the wall or screen for students to see. Overhead projectors were made up of a large box that contained a cooling fan and a bright light, with a long arm extended above it. At the end of the long arm, there is a mirror that catches and reflects the light towards the screen. The SMART board includes a projector that is built-in over the top so that it doesn’t take up extra room within the classroom. The interactive whiteboard also replaces anything used by humans to keep notes on. Today, computers or laptops no longer use those floppy disks or the 3 ½ inch diskettes that were used years ago. In my experience, this SMART Interactive whiteboard has replaced power point for some, not all. I know many teachers who have now had Notebook Software downloaded onto their computers and laptops. Notebook, gives teachers the make their notes and presentations more interactive than power point does.

Retrieves/rekindles: What does this technology bring to mind (or retrieve) from the past?

The Interactive whiteboard brings back memories of using a chalkboard in the classroom. Unlike Notebook software, there was not button to add an additional chalkboard to the classroom. With the chalkboad, there was never enough room to get everything written down. With the Notebook, you can add additional pages needed for each notebook made. Also, if there’s something out of place, the pages can be rearranged or grouped accordingly. Technically, the board retrieves anything that specifically tells who people keep notes or other forms of communication on things other than technology.

Reverses: What might replace this technology in the future, or what might it cause to occur?

I believe that eventually the interactive whiteboard will be replaced. It may or may not be replaced by the iPad/iTouch or some interactive mini device will take over how often the SMART board is used. iTouches and iPads are interactive with the SMART board and have many more capabilities that the board doesn’t have. With having iPads, students can work at their desks and still interact with other students on the work being done. There are many apps that can be downloaded so that students can work on many different things within academic subjects. If the Apple products don’t replace the SMART board, there will be some type of interactive device or software that will replace it eventually. In order for the software to replace the SMART board, it will have to do more than the Notebook software does now.

References:

SMART. (2010). Smart technologies. Retrieved from http://www.smarttech.com/us/Solutions/Education+Solutions

Module 1 : Current Trends in Educational Technology

In his article “Current Trends in Educational Technology,” Thornburg discusses the transformations that are taking place in society as a result of new technologies. He provides a variety of examples in which he shares how a new technology was shaping society, as well as any problems associated with that technology. He then proposes various ways to make these new technologies better. Depending on the perspective and how the term is used, emergent technology can have a number of meanings. I think that emergent technology is best described as technology adopted by the majority that is used for our personal use. Dr. Thornburg’s (2008) definition of emergent technology as being emergent when we are made aware of its options and can use it for our own personal use. I think that this has a bit of truth to it as well. However, what about those who learn about technology that is past emergent but it’s there first time hearing about it or using it. Sometimes, the technology may become emergent in a different location before others begin to learn about it. Therefore, before someone can learn to use a piece of technology for his/her own personal use, they have to know about the technology.

A current technology that has emerged in the last few years that shapes learning and productivity in my industry is the SMART Interactive whiteboard. SMART Interactive whiteboards were put into each classroom at the beginning of last school year within my district. The SMART board streamlines the teaching experience by enabling teachers to engage students with interactive lessons while simultaneously accessing and controlling all of the classroom technology (SMART, 2010). The SMART board allows teachers to write in digital ink with our fingers or a pen, as well as interact with applications and save notes. In addition, SMART (2010) interactive whiteboard systems come up with SMART Notebook collaborative learning software. This software sets the standard for creating, delivering, and managing interactive lessons within a single application.

Initially, all teachers who wanted a SMART board in their classroom had to participate in the SMART training sessions. However, eventually the technology plan for the county implemented the use of SMART boards into every classroom. Therefore, everyone ended up taking the SMART training sessions. However, there are some teachers who were hesitant to implement this technology into their daily lessons. First, they were afraid of breaking or messing something up on the board. Next, they had not received enough training to implement the SMART board into their lessons that also included active engagement for the students. Last, some teachers felt that this board was something new to add to a long list of things already given to them to use in the classroom. Some teachers felt that there was nothing wrong with their old ways of teaching and getting students involved in the work.

However, as far as today’s society and the constant changes in technology, we, as teachers have to keep student actively engaged for them to learn. Worksheets and textbooks are not the cure to this problem. To actively get students engaged, they have to be able to move around and talk. With the SMART board, it is easier to get students engaged and to show demonstrations of what is being learned. The SMART board has surpassed the use of televisions in the classrooms. I haven’t found anything that I can’t do on my SMART board. With its touch recognition and smart response question clickers, the smart board can be used in any industry. SMART boards are used all over the world in lots of different career fields and for lots of different activities. These boards are very heavy duty and easy to navigate. The smart board provides lots of different uses, providing effective use for many industries. The interactive SMART board makes it easy for any organization to create all work using just one, single application. The only problem with the SMART boards is the size. Staff did not have the problem of setting up the interactive board as district technician took care of making sure the board was hooked to a desktop or laptop. Most of the staff used the projector with the whiteboard also, some classrooms don’t’ have blinds with two black out room. As far as more critical problems are concerned, teachers in my district have no complaints.

References/Links:

SMART Interactive Whiteboard Link: www.smarttech.com

Laureate Education, Inc. (2008). What is emerging technology? Author: Dr. David Thornburg.

SMART. (2010). Smart technologies. Retrieved from http://www.smarttech.com/us/Solutions/Education+Solutions