How Smart Boards Are Reshaping the Classroom Experience

Last updated on September 26th, 2023 at 02:21 pm

The education industry is changing the way we never expected it to. Educators and students are embracing a wide variety of technological tools, software, and hardware to enhance teaching and learning experiences both within traditional classrooms and also remote environments. This unprecedented shift is revolutionising the educational landscape and creating new possibilities for effective and engaging educational approaches.

One of the most popular tools that is transforming the education sector is the smart board for teaching that we usually use in the classroom. Also known as an interactive white board, this smart board is an advanced display panel that functions like a traditional whiteboard or chalkboard, but with interactive features like a touch-sensitive screen, handwritten recognition and the ability to connect to other devices like computers and tablets, plus software and input devices such as digital pens or styluses. 

These smart boards have quickly evolved into an indispensable tool for educators, enabling them to provide engaging and interactive learning experiences for their students. By fostering interactivity, collaboration, and seamless multimedia integration, smart boards are creating new channels for effective teaching and opening up exciting possibilities in education. 

From Chalkboards to Smart Boards: The Educational Revolution

(1) Creating Interactive Lessons with Technology

Teachers can now create interactive lessons using smart boards to better capture the attention of students and help them remember the content of the lessons. 

Especially useful are a few functions, such as the touchscreen capability of smart boards, which allow educators and students to interact with one another by writing directly on the board. Other functions such as inbuilt computer capabilities, which enable the user to access a wide range of software applications and programmes like Microsoft Office Suite, and multi-media integration, which integrates different types of media like videos, audio and images, allow educators to create interactive presentations that explain complex concepts easily. They can annotate, highlight, and draw on the content, or zoom in and out, and highlight specific datapoints, charts and trends, making it easier for students to understand the information. For instance, a science teacher can use the smart board to showcase 3-dimensional animations of the human body, so that students can understand how the various organs work together.  

(2) Facilitating Collaboration and Group Work

Smart boards also facilitate real-time collaboration and group work, allowing multiple users to engage with the content on them at the same time. This feature is very useful for the education sector, as students can interact with one another and work together on projects and assignments simultaneously or take part in interactive games and activities, greatly increasing classroom engagement. Such a feature can be seen as inclusive too, as even shy students who might be hesitant to speak up in the classroom can use the board to convey his or her ideas. 

Besides helping students to develop critical skills such as communication, critical thinking and problem-solving, it also encourages cooperation and teamwork and make the learning journey painless and enjoyable. This technology also makes it easy for educators to monitor student participation and provide feedback immediately. 

(3) Increasing Productivity and Efficiency

Using a smart board in the modern classroom can also help to increase productivity and efficiency. By facilitating collaboration and providing a platform for visual communication, these devices can help teams to work more efficiently and effectively together. Such digital whiteboards, when used for remote learning or lessons, allow students to connect and collaborate effectively and efficiently from anywhere worldwide. 

(4) Improving Learning Outcomes

According to research, having an interactive, built-in whiteboard or a smart board in the classroom can improve learning outcomes, leading to increased student engagement, higher test scores, improved academic performance, and overall create an engaging and immersive experience for learners. This could be attributed to two main reasons. Firstly, these digital tools play a crucial role in enhancing learners’ comprehension of complex concepts, leading to improved information retention. Secondly, the versatility of smart boards caters to a wide range of learning styles, making them particularly beneficial for students.

For example, students who learn visually can benefit from the high-resolution display and image quality of smart boards, those who prefer auditory learning can benefit from the audio capabilities of the technology while students who prefer to learn through physical interaction can touch, draw and play with objects on the touchscreen. 

(5) Customisation  

What sets smart boards apart from other interactive whiteboards is their versatility and adaptability. They can be customised to suit the needs of any modern-day classroom. Educators can create their own interactive lessons or modify existing ones to fit the learning objectives of their students. The smart board technology also allows teachers to incorporate different multimedia elements such as videos, audio recordings, and 3D models. This flexibility means that educators can create a learning environment that meets the needs of all students, regardless of their learning style or ability.

Another advantage of smart boards is their adaptability. Educators can use the board to teach any subject, from mathematics and science to social studies and language arts. The board can also be used to teach students of any age, from kindergartens, elementary schools to high schools. This adaptability means that smart boards are an investment that can grow with a school or district, as the needs of the students change over time.

Cost-Effective

While smart boards may seem expensive upfront, they provide a cost-effective solution in the long run because they eliminate the need for traditional whiteboards and projectors, which require frequent maintenance and replacements, adding to the overall cost of ownership. Smart boards are also durable and built to last, reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements.

Moreover, the cost-effectiveness of smart boards extends beyond their hardware. They are equipped with software that enhances collaboration, simplifies lesson planning, and streamlines administrative tasks. These features save time and resources, allowing educators and administrators to focus on what matters most: student learning. With this smart technology, schools and businesses can cut costs associated with printing, copying, and distributing learning materials, reducing their environmental impact while saving money.

The biggest benefit that contributes to their cost-effectiveness is their ability to support remote classrooms and hybrid learning. Educators can conduct live classes, meetings, and webinars from any location, reducing travel costs and eliminating the need for physical classroom space.

The Disadvantages of Smart Boards

(1) High Initial Cost of Purchase

One of the biggest drawbacks of smart boards is the initial high cost of purchase, and there are also costs for software licenses and ongoing maintenance and support of the digital devices, which can add up quickly depending on how many smart boards you need for the entire school or learning centre. Such a cost may proved daunting for organisations operating on a small budget, or even for non-profit organisations that are already struggling to make ends meet. 

But despite the high cost, some educators and leaders still feel that such smart boards are worth the investment, as the benefits justify the costs. 

(2) Learning Curve

One major challenge that can arise when implementing this technology is the learning curve it presents for educators and students alike. Teachers may initially struggle to adjust to the new tool and incorporate it into their teaching materials. This can be a time-consuming and frustrating process, particularly for those who are not tech-savvy.

Students, too, may struggle to adapt to the new technology as they may find it difficult to understand how to use the various features of the smart board. This can lead to confusion and frustration, which can in turn undermine the effectiveness of the technology as a teaching tool.

(3) Technical Difficulties

Although smart boards are designed to be user-friendly, there are still a number of issues that can arise, such as connectivity problems, software glitches, and hardware malfunctions.

Sometimes, the smart board may not properly connect with the computer or other devices that are being used to display content. This can lead to delays, frustration, and lost teaching time as some troubleshooting time is needed. 

Another issue that can arise is software glitches that can cause the smart board to malfunction. When this happens, it can be difficult for teachers to continue their lesson as planned. In some cases, they may need to switch to a backup plan or postpone the lesson until the issue can be resolved.

Over time, the smart board may also begin to wear out or break down, leading to issues such as dead pixels, flickering screens, or other problems that can make it difficult for teachers to effectively present their material. In some cases, it may even be necessary to replace the smart board entirely, which can be a costly and time-consuming process.

Best Practices for Using Smart Boards

(1) Developing an Effective Curriculum

Such disadvantages of smart boards make it necessary for the education industry to focus on the best practices for using them so that they can minimise their efforts and maximise results. 

To use the smart board more effectively, educators must first identify their learning objectives through needs assessment of students, understanding the key concepts and skills that they want their students to learn and how the technology can be used to complement their teaching strategies. They can then design an effective curriculum that is flexible, adaptable, and responsive to the needs of their students, taking into account their learning styles, interests, and abilities, with lesson plans and class materials that are also fun and engaging. 

(2) Using Online Resources

Having an interactive display like a smart, white board in the classroom can be an excellent tool for educators to help students stay engaged and interested in the lesson. However, simply having the flat panel or the technology is not enough. Teachers must know how to use the technology effectively to create a dynamic and exciting learning experience. One way to do this is by using online resources, which is accessible via a smart board with an internet access. These resources can provide educators with a vast amount of information and assets to enhance their curriculum, such as videos, images and other multimedia materials. There are three main types of online resources that they can use effectively.

(a) Multimedia Materials 

The first kind of online resources for teachers is multimedia materials. For example, a science teacher can use a virtual dissection programme to provide students with a hands-on experience without the need to conduct a real-life dissection, which could be more costly and troublesome. 

(b) Educational Games and Puzzles

The internet also provides access to educational games and quizzes that teachers can use to create interactive and fun activities that keep students engaged and interested. For example, a history teacher can use an online game to teach students about different civilisations or events in history. By making learning fun, students are more likely to retain the information and stay interested in the subject.

(c) Online Discussions and Forums

Teachers can create online discussions on forums or other platforms where students can discuss the lessons or collaborate on projects. This not only allows students to engage with the materials, but also helps to develop their communication and collaboration skills. Shy students may also feel more comfortable participating in class discussions and expressing their ideas online.

Smart Boards 2.0: Shaping the Future of Learning

As we consider the future of digital boards, it’s important to examine the technologies that will shape them, and which can help educators further personalise lessons and create a truly connected and immersive learning environment.

(1) Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

One of the most exciting professional education technology (edtech) advancements is the integration of AR and VR into the classroom, which offer a unique and immersive learning experience that allows students to interact with content in a whole new way.

AR, a technology which combines the real world with computer-generated elements to provide an interactive experience, and VR, a technology that creates a simulated, computer-generated environment that can be experienced by a user, are both game changers for the education industry. For example, students can use AR to bring their textbooks to life by scanning pages and seeing digital models pop up on their smart board, while VR can bring them on virtual field trips or allow them to explore historical events in a way that was never before possible.

Such technologies can also help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as they require students to be active learners, engaging with content on the interactive whiteboard in a way that encourages creativity and innovation.

(2) Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

One other area that we can expect to see significant growth or integration with digital whiteboards are artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

AI will enable smart boards to better understand and respond to user input, making them even more intuitive and user-friendly. For example, these interactive boards could use ML algorithms to predict what a teacher is going to write on the board next based on his or her previous patterns, and then intuitively suggest relevant or similar content or resources. This type of functionality would save teachers time and enhance the learning experience for students.

These versatile tools can also use AI and ML algorithms to identify patterns and insights and analyse data in real-time, helping educators to understand how their students are learning and hence adjust their teaching styles or methods accordingly. For example, if the interactive screen can detect that a student is trying hard to understand a particular concept, it could suggest related resources to help the teacher explain it further to the student. 

Integrating AI and ML into smart boards could also help education institutes become more efficient and cost-effective. For example, most of such devices could schedule maintenance and repairs based on usage patterns, and some could even predict when certain parts are likely to fail soon, allowing for the users to ask for support before a breakdown occurs, minimising disruptions to lessons, and saving schools time and money too.

(3) The Internet of Things (IoT)

One of the most powerful features in the future of smart boards is the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT), a technology which allows a network of physical objects, devices, and sensors to connect to the internet and communicate with one another. Hence, it will allow smart boards to connect with other devices in a typical classroom, like smartphones and tablets, creating a seamless experience for the learners. For example, students can use their mobile devices or digital personal devices to interact with the electronic whiteboard, typing in their answers to questions that it generates. The technology will also enable this smart whiteboard to collect data on student performance, allowing teachers to identify areas where there may be slow learners who need additional support. 

As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative features added to the smart board, making it an even more valuable tool in a classroom environment, and as visionary educators embrace this technology and witness the positive impact on student performance and engagement, it becomes evident that smart boards are not just a passing trend but an integral part of the future of education. Their presence will undoubtedly shape the educational landscape for years to come. 

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