Technology Reflection: Instructional Use of Smartboards

The speaker talked about Smartboards in the last seminar. Smartboards are a more interactive version of a chalkboard, where students can see information more vividly, presentations can come to life, and teachers and students alike can take advantage of the touch screen capabilities.

Application:

I would do a lesson on the Civil War using a Smartboard. Following an open class discussion and a Powerpoint presentation on the part of the war we were covering, we could do a whole-class quiz using the Smartboard. The students could then see their results on the Smartboard so we could go over them.

Learners and Learning Outcome:

The learners would be high school history students and the outcome would be to develop a better understanding of the Civil War and the learning experience be enhanced by the Smartboard.

Assessment:

The assessment would be included in the quiz at the end of the presentation, and the benefit is that the quiz can be given on the Smartboard, followed by the students’ results.

Timeline of planned lecture:

·         First, the students would be introduced to the time period that the Civil War took place in, as well as a Smartboard review, so they are comfortable with the process of this lecture

·         Then, slides would be posted going over the main points of the war and the differing opinions and actions of the north and the south

·         These slides would include links to videos on YouTube (another technology easily accessed through Smartboards) where videos would be posted, such as clips from documentaries.

·         After the lecture is complete, a quiz would appear on the Smartboard, one question at a time, and the students would be able to submit answers and get grades instantly

             Reflection

            Pedagogical-Content:

The strategy for teaching in a lecture style format for this specific assignment is beneficial because it is the introduction to a new topic. When introducing a new topic, it is important to open all the information up to every student equally by lecturing the student all at once. Also, the Smartboard eliminates the stereotype that lecture is boring, because Smartboards can make lectures very entertaining for students.

            This lecture will incorporate illustrations, videos, documentaries, and can even involve group or cooperative learning at the end if I decide to allow the students to work in groups to answer the questions to the quiz at the end of the lecture. Classroom management may be an issue during this activity by students possibly becoming distracted and conversing with other students. I would avoid this by always moving around, in between the students’ desks while giving the lecture. This keeps students engaged.

            Technological- Pedagogical:

Selecting the Smartboard for use of a lecture keeps students interested and intrigued. Having a quiz at the end of the lecture gives students the extra motivation to keep focused during the lecture. Once again, I would use the strategy of walking around the classroom close to the students who have the highest possibility of becoming distracted, and also continually asking the students questions during the lecture to keep them on task and prepared for the upcoming quiz. This assignment would support the teaching strategy of lecture and student-motivation.

For introduction to a new topic, lecture is beneficial because it keeps all the students on an even playing field, giving them all equal opportunity to gain as much new knowledge as possible. The Smartboard is the absolute best way for lectures of any sort.

            Technological Pedagogical Content:

Using YouTube links to Civil War documentaries or overviews of battles from the Smartboard lecture encourages student discussion and interest in the lecture. A Smartboard would make everything stand out more than a standard chalkboard, and be a good visual aid as opposed to a textbook or just a class discussion.