Interactive Whiteboard Information and Resources
Background
Interactive whiteboards provide a touchable surface that allows the user to interact with a computer. In actuality, virtually all software is compatible and usable with an interactive whiteboard. Smartboards are just one of many brands of interactive whiteboards. When combined with a laptop and a projector, Smartboards become a powerful tool for enhancing classroom instruction. The benefits can be seen in two primary areas of student learning. First, the use of these tools allows teachers to utilize the advantages of instructional software, such as Math Packs, as a supplement to classroom instruction which improves and reinforces student understanding. There are many websites and software packages that are specifically designed to be instructional aides to the classroom curriculum. Furthermore, it also becomes possible for teachers to make content, lessons and activities available digitally to students for further study and make-up work. The second area of benefit is just as powerful as the first and that is measurably increased student attention and participation. Allow the students to interact and they become active participants in their learning. Another factor that appears to positively influence student attention is the ability to connect the real world to classroom content via the Internet. I am certainly biased, but I see no more powerful set of tools available to the 21 st Century educator for enhancing classroom instruction than a computer, a projector and a Smartboard. The above information is purely my opinion but it is based on my own experience and understanding of recent educational research.
SmartNotebook is an application that is freely available for anyone to download via the Smarttech website. It is a companion piece to the Smartboard software and I like to think of it as a digital overhead on steroids. This software provides a digital whiteboard which can be used for virtually any type of content delivery (notes, images, drawings, scans, screen captures, etc...). In addition, there is a vast array of friendly digital ink tools and a useful gallery of images and templates easily available to the user. There are also several websites with databases of pre-made and editable SmartNotebook activities that can be conveniently downloaded. Another major benefit to using this type of software is that class notes, lectures, and activities can be saved for later review purposes or sharing with students/parents as study tools via the web or email.
Below you will find
Tutorials:
http://www.smarttech.com/trainingcenter/tutorials.asp
The following websites provide interactive components and come recommended by other Smart educators. However, please realize the delivery of any website that you use or find is possible and vastly improved from the days of everyone crowding around a 15inch computer screen.
Language Arts:
Literacy Links - This is a collection of sites organized by grade level and compiled by Kelly Stone, the literacy coach at RBE.
Math
Making the Math Connections ( static version ) An extensive collection of interactive math websites which is organized by both grade level and content strand. This collection is maintained by Carol Rewis, math coach at RBE.
Social Studies
Knowitall All Levels
Marcopolo All Levels
SmartNotebook Activities
Edcompass All Levels
Smart Board Templates All Levels
Other sites of Interest
Michelle Murray's IKeepBookmark Site
Interactive Internet Resources All Levels
Quia Subscription Site that allows teachers to create interactive activities from their own content. (try a free trial)
Discus
eThemes - An extensive database of content-specific, thematic websites. A service of the eMINTS National Center