What are SMARTboards? While most adults remember the days when a chalkboard was the only real visual teaching device in a classroom, but who remembers all the downsides of that old-school apparatus? All of that floating chalk dust in the air would irritate the noses of teachers and students alike— and don’t even get us started on the process of cleaning those dang erasers. Talk about a big pain in the you-know-what. And on top of all that, instructors often wound up having to spend their own hard-earned money on chalk throughout the year.

However, chalkboards were eventually replaced with whiteboards in the classroom. Dry-erase markers were king in this era, with students and teachers using different colored markers that easily disappeared from the board with the glide of the appropriate erasers. The biggest downside to this method of visual teaching is how quickly the markers would dry out— a thing that irritatingly enough would happen in the middle of the lesson the teacher was writing out on the board. Teachers would usually end up buying their own dry-erase markers to sustain their lessons throughout the year, as well.

Fast forward to today’s technology and all of the benefits it offers the modern-day classroom. Projectors, DVD players, computers, tablets, etc. can all be found throughout the classroom, offering real assistance in making learning easier for everyone. One of the biggest innovations that can be found in the modern-day classroom is the SMARTboard— a natural descendant of the chalkboard and whiteboard.

So, What Exactly is a SMARTBoard?

A SMARTboard is an interactive whiteboard equipped with a touch screen—usually coming with specialized markers that can be used to write on the unit. You can even use your fingers to write on the board— the markers aren’t necessary. All the smartboard needs is a projector to function, and it must be connected to a computer. It’s really that easy— no chalk, no markers, no erasers, and absolutely no hassle.

Advantages Of Having A SMARTBoard In Your Class

You can save all lessons for future reference.
You can integrate impressive visuals into your lessons.
Online resources are readily available for you.
They are incredibly low maintenance.
There is no mess, therefore no clean-up.

Enhancing Interactive Learning

SMARTBoards take interactive learning to a new level. Unlike traditional whiteboards, these advanced boards allow teachers and students to interact directly with the content displayed. This interaction is not limited to just touching the screen; SMARTBoards enable users to move and manipulate digital objects, highlight text, and even draw complex diagrams with ease. This level of interaction promotes a more engaging and dynamic learning environment, encouraging students to participate actively in lessons.

Facilitating Collaborative Learning

Collaboration is key in modern education, and SMARTBoards are excellent tools for fostering collaborative learning. With features like multi-touch capabilities, multiple students can work on the board simultaneously. This feature is particularly beneficial for group activities and brainstorming sessions, where students can collectively work on problems, share ideas, and contribute to group projects in real-time. For more information on how SMARTBoards facilitate collaborative learning, visit Montrose Inc.’s educational benefits page.

Integrating with Educational Software

One of the biggest advantages of SMARTBoards is their ability to integrate seamlessly with various educational software and applications. This integration allows teachers to bring a vast array of digital resources into their lessons, from interactive quizzes to educational games. It also enables the incorporation of multimedia content like videos and animations, making lessons more interesting and informative. Teachers can find a variety of resources and software compatible with SMARTBoards on our audio-visual equipment page.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

SMARTBoards are designed to be accessible, catering to diverse learning needs and styles. They support various assistive technologies, making them an inclusive tool in classrooms with students who have special educational needs. The ability to adjust the content, such as enlarging text for better visibility or using audio outputs for auditory learners, ensures that all students have equal opportunities to learn and engage.

A Step Towards Future-Ready Education

In conclusion, SMARTBoards represent a significant step towards future-ready education. Their ability to enhance interactivity, foster collaboration, integrate with digital resources, and provide accessibility makes them an invaluable asset in any modern classroom. As education continues to evolve, tools like SMARTBoards will play a pivotal role in shaping effective and inclusive learning environments.

All About SMARTBoards and How They Can Benefit the Classroom