Research Project- SMART Boards
Alexandra K. Concilio
Information Technology (IT) - 103-006
Lab Section- 212
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Introduction
The question of how students learn most effectively is a common topic of discussion among educators. It is true that the stand-and-deliver method is the easiest, while definitely not the most enjoyable and the hands-on method means a significant amount of planning outside the classroom. Unbelievably, the world in which we live has mastered a form of technology that incorporates both methods of instruction in the form of the SMART Board. Much like its name eludes, the SMART Board is an interactive whiteboard that allows students and teachers to become fully engrossed in a lesson through its 77-inch touch screen. The SMART Board connects to a personal computer or laptop and a digital projector. Content, including text, images, videos and internet are then displayed on the screen in front of the class. Teachers create lessons at school or home, and then present to the class using the SMART Board technology. While it seems that this relatively new development in the world of technology poses many innovative ideas for educators it certainly raises concerns about social problems among the upcoming generation.
Background
The SMART Board was introduced in 1991 by a company called, SMART Technologies. This company was founded in 1987 and has become best known for the SMART Boards interactive whiteboard design. The first series of this model, the 600-series has a unique design called resistive technology. This whiteboard was created using a flexible plastic sheet in front of a thick backboard. Then a thin layer of resistive film coats the front sheet leaving a very thin gap between the two, approximately the width of two human hairs. When contact is made with a pen tool, finger or any other device the gap narrows putting pressure on the screen resulting in a contact point. Due to this resistive design SMART Technologies is the leader in interactive whiteboards in the US, UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “It took over 20 years for the one millionth SMART Board to be rolled out. But it will take SMART lesser time than that to achieve its next million,” says Christopher Chong, Regional Director and GM for Asia Pacific SMART Technologies.
Potential Benefits
The world of education strongly supports the use of SMART Technologies interactive whiteboards in its classrooms. In the United Kingdom, fifty percent of the education departments are employing SMART Boards in their schools. The benefits of interactive whiteboards are most obvious in schools because they are systematically designed to create a hands-on experience for all learners. Lesson plans are easily created, displayed and executed. Substitute teachers, with a click of the mouse can be brought up to speed on the classrooms daily schedule. The planning can be done at home by the teacher and then sent to the documents within the SMART Boards files which are then accessible to colleagues, principals and parents. Students are able to come to the board during the lesson and highlight, underline and manipulate text. Every subject in school is able to design their content on the SMART Board to suit the needs of their lesson. For example, in a 6th grade math classroom the game of Jeopardy was created using the SMART Board to prepare students for an exam. The students respond well to fun study tools that they are able to be directly involved in which ultimately eliminates behavioral issues. Another overlooked benefit comes in the form of the bright blue recycle bin that come equipped in every classroom in the United States. The amount of paper recycling has decreased significantly since the use of SMART Board technology because with the ability to display any content in front of the class, students do not need individual paper copies. The corporate sector is also turning to the SMART Boards interactive and collaborative tools to help reduce costs and increase productivity. According to Chong (2009), “Video conferencing is an expanding segment during doom and gloom times. Companies try to cut travel budget and implement such solutions across Asia as a cost effective measure. They use solutions such as SMART Meeting Pro and with increased bandwidth these days, cross border communication is possible.”
Legal and Ethical Issues
The relatable issues that affect the legality of the use of SMART Boards are minute due to the instructional nature in which they were designed. However, whenever dealing with the internet it is important to understand the legal and ethical issues that correlate to it. There is a wealth of information available for educators via the internet. Complete lesson plans and power point slides are accessible and many are not protected by the copyright law. Copyright protection is available for an original expression of an idea that is fixed in any physical medium, such as paper, electronic tapes, floppy discs, CD ROMs, etc. It is important to note that the "right" or protection is given to how the idea is expressed, not to the idea itself. The majority of educators feel that anything on the internet is at their disposal and this is potentially unethical. The content in which the instructor chooses to display on the SMART Board in front of the class is completely their personal choice. Because the SMART Board offers countless tools that are appealing to the corporate sector the use of inappropriate business practices over the internet are legal issues as well.
Security Concerns
The SMART Boards software is easily updated and when a new security update is available the program just needs to download it appropriately. Microsoft has recently found a glitch in the security update linked to the file called GDIplus.dll. This software runs on the Windows operating system including the SMART Board software 8.x. Microsoft Corporation has created a security update that replaces the vulnerable file. (SMART Technologies 2011)
Social Problems
Students growing up in today’s world rely heavily on technology. The majority of these high-tech inventions are for entertainment while others act as labor-saving devices. The use of SMART Boards in fact with innumerable benefits but when any new piece of technology enters the equation of education it is important to look at how it will hinder learning. “Educators must ask themselves if the benefits of using SMART boards outweigh the drawbacks? One common complaint of K-12 educators who instruct via SMART boards is that users feel they get so wrapped up in the technical components they overlook classroom discipline.” (Lit, 2009) Educators feel that they are unable to monitor who is paying attention. With the SMART Boards technology students in the classroom do not have to communicate with one another if the interactive whiteboard is being used to teach the lesson. Abusing the technology is a social concern where the students are concerned because the SMART Board has extensive capabilities; the teacher becomes a babysitter. Children today have become preoccupied with their cell phones, iPods, video games and computers that they spend very little time actually socializing and communicating. Similarly, this has become the case in the classroom with the use of SMART Boards.
Conclusion
Overall, the benefits of using SMART Boards in the classroom and corporate sector heavily outweigh any legal, social and security issues that arise because of them. “Today, technology is complimentary to everyday tasks, necessary to survival in the fast-paced world of work, school, social relations, and entertainment. So it is natural for parents and community leaders to expect technology in schools, and to push for it as “crucial for training the citizens of the future.” (Martin 2010)
Works Cited
Anthony Ramirez. (7 February). District schools excel at technology, amplifying the student experience. McClatchy - Tribune Business News. Retrieved February 27, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Dateline. (Document ID: 2259766651).
This article explains that many school districts that are expanding the number of schools are installing the latest digital equipment including SMART Boards and other wireless technology.
Doing Away with Boards. (2009, January 1). Business Today. p. 19
The author of this article explained the collaborative tools that SMART Boards offer for the corporate sector. The value of using SMART Meeting Pro to web conference between continents is another topic that this article touches on.
Kane, Yukari. Publishers Expand E-textbook Offerings for Classrooms. (2011, February 5). The Wall Street Journal.
Following the installation of SMART Boards the technology that the future holds for the classroom are E-textbooks.
Lit, L. (2009) Using SMART Boards in the K-12 Classroom. Bright Hub.
This article addresses the advantages and disadvantages of using SMART boards in the K-12 classroom. Although there are many advantages as far as the user is concerned, there are many disadvantages for the educator with regard to classroom discipline and evaluation.
Maggie Gordon. (2 February). Planning board recommends $9.6 million capital budget for schools. McClatchy - Tribune Business News. Retrieved February 27, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Dateline. (Document ID: 2255406171).
This article focuses on the expense of SMART Boards and how one district is planning a 9.6 million dollar budget for continued updating of schools technology.
Martin, M. (2010). Technology in the Classroom: Are SMART Boards the new Snake oil? North County Public Education Examiner.
This article discusses the pros and cons of using technology in the classroom. The author also explains the importance of constantly educating teachers about the new technology that is available because SMART Boards are only effective if teachers know how to operate them.
