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Showing posts with label Smartboards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Smartboards. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Electronic Whiteboards - A Wise Choice?
by Ron Smith, MLTI/eMINTS Region 3
As a educator who currently has the opportunity to work with staff members in schools across Washington and Hancock Counties, I receive many requests to deliver electronic whiteboard sessions. I always enjoy these sessions, as they tend to be rather fun, fast paced, and hands-on. Educators typically come away excited about using the whiteboard with students.
I recently read this blog post by Wesley Fryer and it’s accompanying comments (by Gary Stager and Sylvia Martinez, among others) that reflected a lively debate about electronic whiteboard use. The overall tone of the debate (particularly by Stager) was very anti-whiteboard. Some of the more interesting points expressed were:
(1)An electronic whiteboard, by its very nature, promotes a very teacher centered classroom environment. Essentially, from a pedagogical standpoint, there is no difference between a electronic whiteboard and a chalkboard.
(2)The cost of the whiteboard is simply not justified. Limited resources most certainly could be spent in a wiser manner.
(3)Purchasing an electronic whiteboard represents an easy, highly visible, and ultimately unwise representation of creating the illusion of a 21st Century learning environment. Decision makers can quickly point to this purchase as a way of demonstrating their commitment to promoting technology in their schools.
What are your reactions to these assertions? What are some ways in which electronic whiteboards can be used in a true student-centered classroom environment? Are they a good investment for our schools?
As a educator who currently has the opportunity to work with staff members in schools across Washington and Hancock Counties, I receive many requests to deliver electronic whiteboard sessions. I always enjoy these sessions, as they tend to be rather fun, fast paced, and hands-on. Educators typically come away excited about using the whiteboard with students.
I recently read this blog post by Wesley Fryer and it’s accompanying comments (by Gary Stager and Sylvia Martinez, among others) that reflected a lively debate about electronic whiteboard use. The overall tone of the debate (particularly by Stager) was very anti-whiteboard. Some of the more interesting points expressed were:
(1)An electronic whiteboard, by its very nature, promotes a very teacher centered classroom environment. Essentially, from a pedagogical standpoint, there is no difference between a electronic whiteboard and a chalkboard.
(2)The cost of the whiteboard is simply not justified. Limited resources most certainly could be spent in a wiser manner.
(3)Purchasing an electronic whiteboard represents an easy, highly visible, and ultimately unwise representation of creating the illusion of a 21st Century learning environment. Decision makers can quickly point to this purchase as a way of demonstrating their commitment to promoting technology in their schools.
What are your reactions to these assertions? What are some ways in which electronic whiteboards can be used in a true student-centered classroom environment? Are they a good investment for our schools?
Friday, October 24, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
New Smartboards at York
I spent an enjoyable morning at York Middle School yesterday, sharing and learning about the new Smartboards with version 10 software that have been purchased for many teachers in the system who developed proposals that involved enthusiasm and willingness to use them in transformational ways.In the photo, Eric Lawson, a top-notch technology integrator in the system, enthusiastically demonstrates many of the new functions of the 10 software. Gregg Martin, Director of Information Technology Services, lead the workshop, emphasizing that the vision is ultimately transformation in teaching methods and offering ongoing support to his teachers. There is a conference in their FirstClass system to encourage collaboration among the users. I also had to put in a plug for sharing state-wide through the Smartboard page on LIM resources.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
York Smartboard Training
I'll be assisting Gregg Martin of the York School Department in his Smartboard Training Workshop on Monday. For me, that means coming up-to-speed this weekend on the new version 10 software. Fortunately there are many resources out there to help.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
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