Media Ecology & SMARTboards

During this weeks reading the topic of media ecology made me think about interactive whiteboards in the classroom. I  have a SMARTboard in my classroom. This video describes the ease of use of a SMARTboard. SMARTboards have transformed classroom learning by adding an interactive approach to learning and actively engaging learners in lessons. The first SMARTboard was introduced in 1991. By the late 90's there were many improvements made to the SMARTboard which transformed teaching in many ways.

Marshall McLuhan discusses "all at onceness" in his writings which simply means that everyone can be connected at the same time. With SMART notebook and SMART response systems, the SMARTboard effectively creates this environment of "all at onceness". Through the SMARTboard you can connect and interact with people all over the world adding a first hand interactive approach to teaching and learning.

This graphic provides great examples of why a SMARTboard should be used in a classroom.

We all know that each student is unique in their own way and their learning styles vary. SMARTboards help all learners! They help teachers differentiate their instruction to reach all students on multiple learning levels and with a variety of learning styles. It adds a kinesthetic approach to lessons by engaging learners through touch and activities on the SMARTboard.

This comic comes to mind whenever I talk to or train teachers on the use of a SMARTboard. I must admit, if nothing less, it is humerous! :) hehe

Reference:

Fiore, Q. (1967). The medium is the massage. New York: Bantam Books.

Ito, M., Sonja B., Matteo B., Boyd, D. Cody, R., Herr, B., Horst, H.A., Lange, P.G., Mahendran, D., Martinez, K., Pascoe, C.J., Perkel, D., Robinson, L., Sims, C., & Tripp, L.(2009). Hanging Out, Messing Around, Geeking Out: Living and Learning with New Media. Cambridge: MIT Press