SMART Boards in the Classroom

We all know that education is an extremely important part of society, but after awhile the traditional ways of educating students becomes a bore for both the students and even the teachers. But now the company Smart Tech came up with a new invention call the SMART board. It makes it easier for teachers and more fun for students. SMART boards can change education through a teacher, student, or school perspective for students in prestigious schools as wells as underprivileged or disadvantaged learners with learning disabilities. Testimonials from teachers always praise SMART boards in the classroom and the great advantages these whiteboards hold.

An important thing is not that every child should be taught, but that every child should be given the desire to learn. By teaching the youth, the future of their life, their family, their community, their country, and their world can be shaped, as well as ours. While technologies have been introduced and improved throughout our society, today one of the most ground-breaking technological advancements has been shown through schools all over the world, known as the SMART board. This board increases the interactive classroom atmosphere, and increases the learning experience in return. By simply connecting the board to your computer, the two devices communicate interchangeably so the teacher can project their notes and slideshows on the board. So instead of becoming a one-sided lecture, it becomes a two-sided learning experience. The students can edit and make notes on the screen, or answer questions directly in the screen allowing them to play a larger role in the discussion while absorbing more from the lesson being taught.

The surface of the SMART board uses digital vision touch (DViT) technology allowing users to use their finger or a digital pen to write on the board while the screen, which is extremely durable and anti-smudge/anti-glare, has digital cameras that help track the contact and the touch sensitive screen produces the images being drawn or written. There is a digital tray at the bottom of the board that includes the pens, erasers, and buttons for an on-screen keyboard or a right click. The pens also have the ability to write on the board and the computer then translates it to type, producing images and saving them.

The SMART board is a revolutionary whiteboard because the interactivity, flexibility, and the easiness of use the produces. There has been a significant increase in teacher productivity and student performance observed. It is the goal that one day; the SMART board will take the place of textbooks for they can be used repeatedly and come with updates of information. These whiteboards have made great contributions to the learning experience. It is said that education opens doors for the future. By educating our youth, training our teachers, helping the disadvantaged students, and by bring in a new technology, our world can be shaped and molded into a better place. By putting time and effort into changing some student’s way of learning, we can revolutionize the way that they learn and grow.

"Voices of Hope" Sing-a-Thon

For the very first time in Eastview High School’s history, a sing-a-thon was hosted on Friday, February 20, 2009 from 8am to 12am to benefit the Angel Foundation. The name of the exciting event that was preformed is known as “VOICES OF HOPE.” Event coordinator, Judy Sagen says, “The charity embraced the mission to improve the quality of life throughout the cancer experience by providing financial assistance, education, and support to cancer patients and their families throughout the community.” The money from this event went to families in the Eastview Community who need financial support with rent, mortgage, grocery bills, gas, and utility payments that affect their care and treatment.

Judy Sagen, EVHS Women’s Chorale director, came up with the idea of people in the community using their talented voices to raise money for cancer patients. “As a choir, they realized how much the power of music can provide the hope that is essential to the well-being of cancer patient and their families”, says Sagen. Many students at EVHS have been affected by knowing someone who has had cancer. These students came together to create an eventful fundraiser and the money they raised was through performance fees, participant sponsors, corporate sponsorship, ticket sales, and merchandise and food sales.

The event was a major success and is hoped to become an annual event here at Eastview High School. The sing-a-thon reached their goal of over $25,000. "We all will continue to serve as a bridge between despair and hope,” comments Sagen.

Voices of Hope Lead

On Friday, Feb 20th, Eastview High School presented a sing-a-thon that went from 8:00 am - 12:00 am called "Voices of Hope." This performance was to benefit the Angel Foundation. “Voices of Hope” was created to improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their families throughout the community. This event will raise money to help these families with financial support.

Feature Story Info

Theme Statement: SMART boards in the classroom make learning and teaching easier and more efficent.


Sources:

1. Mr. Griffith

2. Mr. Kiekbusch

3. Mrs. Benedict


Questions:

1. How much are the SMART boards worth?

2. How much easier is it to teach with SMART
boards?

3. What can a SMART board do?

4. What influenced SMART boards to come into schools everywhere?

5. How is it helpful to the students?