Eager

Do you know what a Smartboard is? It is a technological invention that allows you to project computer images on a large screen. Already been done you say? Well with a Smartboard, people can touch the board so that it becomes an interactive technology tool. It is really great to have one in the classroom. It allows for every child to have access to the lesson being taught and to participate with technology in a more hands-on way. The following link will take you to a demonstration of how to use a Smartboard:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqmrIqWQiAw








Today I walked into two classrooms and saw them using their Smartboard. One class was working on sight words and circling the sight words that the teacher called out. The other class was connected to the Internet visiting a website that allowed them to practice their letters. Wow! I can truly tell you that in each class the children were very eager to learn. It was refreshing watching such high levels of student engagement and motivation. One of the most remarkable events was that the students were very patient awaiting their turn and watched intently as other took a turn. It is not everyday that you can wait for a group of Kindergarten students to wait patiently.






Each child's eager face made me reflect on several of the NCATE indicators:



learning environment- those two teacher were providing a safe and stimulating learning environment for their children by doing something just a little different



assessment- it was great to have immediate and visual feedback for what students understood during the lesson



technology- they were not at individual computers but were provided a tool that could allow for whole group work







Overall, they were great lessons to watch. I have used Smartboards with older students, but never knew that Kindergarten students would becomes so involved in using them.