KATE

The Changing Classroom

Instructional Illuminations

Webster County Schools

Twenty years ago teachers might have had the complaint that classroom resources were limited. In today's time, however, classroom resources are so numerous that many teachers find the task of searching through the overwhelming amount of materials far too time consuming and exhausting. Teachers today must decide which resources are the most useful and purposeful for their individual classroom. One such resource that is currently being applied in individual classrooms in Webster County is the SMART Board.

This is a valuable resource that allows teachers to be creative in their lesson presentations. Imagine how a history lesson can come to life if students were to see re-creations of a battle and then a series of photos and articles about that battle all in one lesson. Visualize a math teacher using computer graphics to help visually show many mathematical concepts that are usually difficult to demonstrate on an overhead or a whiteboard. A Language Arts teacher may find and show excerpts from various books in order to expose students to more literary examples. A science teacher may find a video clip of a recent scientific discovery that will have an effect on the lives of the students. These are just a few ways teachers are using SMART Boards in Webster County classrooms.

The SMART Board is an educational tool that can be geared to individual students' learning styles. For a student who is a visual learner, video clips, photos, and computer graphics are just a few examples of visuals that a teacher can incorporate into a lesson. Since the SMART Board has sound, the auditory learner may also become engaged. In addition, the kinesthetic learners can become involved as they are able to manipulate items on the SMART Board. With the ease of only a few clicks, a teacher now can create an interesting lesson that contains various teaching techniques geared to the various learning styles of the students. Getting all students more engaged in the lesson helps the students learn in a more meaningful, effective manner.

For additional information contact Dawn Powell, Webster County Schools, at dawn.powell@webster.kyschools.us

Related Lesson Plans, Activities, and Classroom Resources

• SMART - Educator Resources
• Lee's Summit - SMART Board Resouces