SMART Table 442 i collaborative learning center By

SMART Table 442 i collaborative learning center By: Lisa Dowd – ITEC 7445 Emerging Technology

What is a SMART Table? A SMART Table is a table with an interactive whiteboard built into it. It is a stand-alone table and is accessible to all. It allows teachers to utilize many content related materials available for free on http: //exchange. smarttech. com/ It is an amazing way to ensure students are collaborating.

What is a SMART Table? Watch this short video to show you how beneficial a SMART Table could be for your class!

Cobb County Technology Mission Statement Cobb County has the following Mission Statement in place in regards to technology use: Technology, as an integral part of curriculum, instruction, assessment and learning, prepares students to succeed in a global community. Our students will be equipped with twenty-first century technology skills to demonstrate, apply and communicate their learning. College and career ready graduates must have these skills. Vision Points: Students will use technology to connect and collaborate with classmates, educators, and experts around the world. Technology serves as a tool to engage students in quality learning experiences requiring higher-order thinking skills to solve authentic problems http: //www. cobbk 12. org/centraloffice/Instructional. Technology/Tech. Plan/2012_2015_CCSD_District_Technology_Plan. pdf

Cobb County Technology Mission Statement A SMART Table would be a great way to support the technology use mission statement our county has developed. Students need to have access to new and developing technologies so they can succeed in global communities. SMART technology is already in place in many corporations throughout the world and knowing how to use such technologies will give our students the necessary skills they need to succeed. Check out this amazing article to learn more! A Smart table would serve as an excellent way to motivate and engage students!

Cobb County Technology Mission Statement Teaching effective collaboration skills is a difficult thing to do. SMART Tables allow students to gain collaboration skills with peers, teachers, and other communities. Students need to problem solve and work together to complete assignments and tasks using a SMART Table! 8 students can be using the SMART Table at the same time.

Who can use a SMART Table? Everyone!

Who can use a SMART Table? Students of all grade levels can use the SMART table to complete challenging activities. The SMART table offers access to all students. It is wheelchair accessible and has a touchscreen for students who cannot manipulate a keyboard. There are over 1, 500 different activities, ranging all elementary levels, pre-loaded to the table. In addition, teachers can use SMART software to create thousands more. Teachers can even use the SMART Table during planning times to create and collaborate together!

Who can use a SMART Table? The SMART table is designed to be durable and moveable. I propose we get one SMART Table and place it initially in the computer lab. Students can work in collaborative groups on the table while others utilize computers and the SMART board in the computer lab. Students could use the SMART Table in small groups under the supervision of the technology teacher while the rest of the class is in their classroom with the general education teacher. Just like other technologies in the school, teachers could sing up on a calendar for slots when they would like to use the SMART Table.

What are some benefits? Students learn collaboration skills. Teachers can tailor lessons to meets individual group needs. It is a fun and engaging way for student to learn. Multiple students can be touching the board at the same time. No more waiting in line one at a time to use the SMART board! All students can use it.

How can we afford a SMART Table? Price: $7, 749 per table Resources that could be utilized to pay for a SMART Table: Davis Elementary Foundation offers teacher grants and other money for the school The School Fun Run raised over $45, 000 dollars last year alone! We could petition for some of the money raised from the 15 -16 Fun Run go to the purchase of a SMART Table. Several Teachers at our school have raised funds from Donors. Choose to purchase items such as computers, tablets, and exercise equipment. A Donors Choose page could be created for the SMART Table.

Equipment and Software Each SMART Table includes Wi-Fi and can connect to the schools Wi-Fi system SMART Tables are installed with SMART software which is already loaded on each teachers laptop and classroom computers Four headphone jacks are available if students need to play while instruction is going on in the classroom. Note: there are built in speakers with sound control and headphones are optional USB Drives are available to load data onto the table

Technology Support Each SMART Table comes with 1 year of software maintenance This includes: Updates, Upgrades, and Live Support There is training available for teachers online at http: //smarttech. com/Home+Page/Resources/Training

Limitations SMART Tables are expensive. Only 8 students at a time can work at a SMART Table. Therefore, the average class would need access to 3 -4 SMART Tables for every student to be able to use a SMART Table at the same time. There are no legal or ethical issues that will arise from the use of a SMART Table as it was designed for educational purposes.

How can teachers use a SMART Table? Content Teachers can utilize any content standard to create activities for the SMART Table. Teachers can use presentations they have already created using SMART software on the table. Teachers can search for grade level content based Common Core or GA standards at http: //exchange. smarttech. com/curriculum-search. html

How can teachers use a SMART Table? Differentiation The SMART Table is designed to be sturdy and accessible to all. Teachers can modify lessons to accommodate several different learning levels and styles. Teachers could use the SMART Table to help remediate students who are struggling.

How can teachers use a SMART Table? Collaboration Students can connect with other classrooms by using internet games such as the ones offered by Dimension U Students can create presentations using SMART Software and publish them online to reach greater audiences (with teacher permission and guidance).

How can teachers use a SMART Table? Authentic Learning Students can use the SMART Table to participate in activities that promote higher order thinking skills and tasks that are authentic and meaningful to the students. Teachers can create lessons where students have to reflect, create, and collaborate to create a product. By giving students the tools they need to succeed without giving them the answers teachers help students develop problem solving skills.

Research complete by The Nordic Project cites the benefits of interactive boards comes from the teachers. Egeberg and Wolner (2011) state “teachers should forego reduplicating his or her traditional teaching methods when incorporating these new technologies, and instead develop new models for communication, reflection and evaluation with the goal of transforming their educational practices” (p. 46). http: //downloads 01. smarttech. com/media/sitecore/en/pdf/research_library/k-12/nordic_final_report_norway. pdf

How do we get started? SMART Tables are designed to be user friendly and easy to set up. Tables can be assembled in less than 30 minutes. Tables come with online tutorials and training videos to get teachers started!

Reflection I picked the SMART Table to research because I saw them being used during a professional development class. They seemed like an amazing way to promote collaboration, increase engagement, and fit in with the SMART technology we already have in place in our school. What I learned is that there is a lot that goes into evaluating an emerging technology. It is not easy to try and convince a school that is already under a tight budget to try something that hasn’t been tried before. However, if we really want to effect change in our schools and within our students we need to improve our technology. This experience improved my professional practice by giving me the opportunity to try and convince my school to take the next step in ensuring our students are technology literate and prepared for a future in which technology will be a part of their career. I really would love the opportunity to have a SMART Table in my school.

References CCSD Technology Plan. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http: //www. cobbk 12. org/centraloffice/Instructional. Technology/Tech. Plan/2012_2015_ CCSD_District_Technology_Plan. pdf Egeberg, G. , & Wolner, T. (2011). Board or Bored? . Retrieved from http: //downloads 01. smarttech. com/media/sitecore/en/pdf/research_library/k 12/nordic_final_report_Norway. pdf Lesson plans and resources for your SMART Board - SMART Exchange. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http: //exchange. smarttech. com/index. html#tab=0

References Long, L. (2013, January 30). New SMART Table® 442 i inspires collaborative learning - SMART Technologies. Retrieved from http: //smarttech. com/About+SMART/Newsroom/Media+releases/Engl ish+US/Releases Paterson, S. (2015, April 10). Today's Gaps in Tomorrow's Workforce - Are Learners Prepared? [Web log post]. Retrieved from http: //edblog. smarttech. com/2015/04/todays-gapstomorrows-workforce-are-learners-prepared-infographics/ SMART training and professional development - SMART Technologies. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http: //smarttech. com/Home+Page/Resources/Training in-