The possibilities are limitless. There are a myriad of games and lessons out there for these interactive whiteboards. I'm a little jealous of those who have them already. Smart boards provide an interactive way of teaching that can be both engaging and appropriate for young learners who need those visual and hands-on experiences (Luke, 2011).
ActivInspire is the software that most people use to create the "flip charts" that they teach with on a daily basis. There are plenty of flip charts pre-made in this software, but you can then adjust and differentiate based on the individual needs of your students. Promethean Planet is a website you can visit with tons of free flip charts for classroom use. With a smart board connected to your computer, you can also use interactive powerpoints, project digital stories, or listen to podcasts. Amazing!
According to Preston and Mowbray (2008), "Smart Boards have been uses successfully with kindergarten children for the past 5 years in innovative ways to enhance teaching and learning and facilitate assessment in science" (p. 50). According to this article, when it comes to science, this kind of technology is a fantastic tool for teachers to use to keep children involved, work collaboratively, reinforce vocabulary and ideas, and assess children's learning. Young scientists often need extra scaffolding and guidance when it comes to observing and recording their data, which lends itself nicely to the use of Smart Boards (Preston & Mowbray, 2008).
I know for a fact that I could use this successfully (and appropriately) with my kindergarteners, if given the opportunity. Who wants to give me that opportunity? ;-)
I'm still learning about these... so let me know what you think! Do you have a Smart Board? Do you want a Smart Board? Why or why not?
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