Elem Tech How-To... SmartBoard Lessons

[JoNelle Gardner]

Elementary Technology Teachers teach how-to.... and integrate technologies. We must spend time teaching how to use software and hardware so that students can apply tech skills in other areas. In our struggle of encouraging everyone to integrate SMARTBoards and other IWB, I find that we do not have many of the tech How-To... lessons for the IWBs. SmartBoard and Promethean lessons for curriculum topics are springing up all over, but we still cannot ignore the basic technology knowledge needs. Heidi posted an example that many of us can use on computers- thank you.

I have invited other tech teachers in my district for some old fashioned "make and take" sessions to create and share Technology How-To... lessons with new SMART Notebook version 10 tools and the interactive toolkit. Kind of like a Treat-Trade at holiday time but we will Trade-some-Tricks on SMART Notebook 10.

Are there any specific topics that you would suggest or share?

[Stacy Aune]

Fabulous topic! I agree completely. I'm struggling with the same thing. My principal is so excited about our smartboards as he should be...and I'm feeling guilty that I use it more as a projector than an IWB...

[Heidi Pence]

It is true that we technology teachers are using them as projectors but it is because our students are on the computers which is as it should be. I help informally with teachers that need help with creating their lessons with the IWB. I think that it is critical to have the teachers know that on an inservice day/afternoon that they can work in your lab, use you as a resource and have TIME to make their lessons. If you can provide your expertise on a work day for your teachers then YOU will be doing a huge service to them :)

[JoNelle Gardner]

Last year I conducted after-school "Techno-Thursdays" based on questions from teachers at my K-5 school. We met in my lab for technology how-to sessions. This year our principal changed the way we use committees and had the faculty design several "Learning Academies" . We formed a Beginner SMART Board Academy and have sessions on committee days. I invited other teachers in our school who were in other Academies to join us as "guest speakers/leaders" on SMARTBoard topics. Our district has phased in installing SMARTBoards over the past three years and now every classroom has one. We have different levels of expertise, interests, and training needs in each school K-12.
For my school, we have found it beneficial for students in the labs to learn and interact with the SMARTBoard, Airliner Tablet/wireless mouse, and document camera. With the different tech skill levels of teachers and students, both groups have enjoyed teaching each other. We have other devices to learn and use in the lab too – cameras, probes, video camera, computer microscopes. This way students learn how to use interactive devices and can apply tech skills in their classroom without the "regular teacher" spending as much time teaching tech skills.
Hmmm....this post has helped me make a list for the Tech Teacher meeting:).
Heidi- I am going to use your Computer and Technology file - thanks again! I'll let you know that we come up with over the next few weeks.

[Heidi Pence]

Last school year I had a private Bridgit session with a SMARTBoard trainer and she had made this Notebook 10 feature file. It was on my computer at a school that I had not been at for 3 weeks due to MAP testing. I am back here today and thought that I would upload and share with you what she shared with me :) Use it however you might want.

[JoNelle Gardner]

Thank you Heidi - having this file will be a great help.