This has been a difficult week for meeting my GAME Plan goals.
There has been no school all week for my district. Therefore, I figured that I would spend some time this week reading the manuals for my SmartBoard system and become acquainted with it. However, a little snafu with that plan…I cannot find the manuals. I looked all around my room at school and at the house. I have had no luck in finding them…strike one.
The next part of my plan involved accessing the company’s website to explore any tutorials that might be available. However, since I do not have the manuals and cannot remember what the name of the company is...strike two.
The only thing that can be done now is to get prepped for the rest of the semester by looking ahead and locating all supplementary materials that I will need for classes. This will be accomplished by looking through my textbook and figuring out what topics will be covered. Then, I will explore the internet and United Streaming to locate videos and other curriculum related items that will engage my students. I have used EdHelper in the past and will use it again. I will also be looking on the textbook publisher’s website to determine what online material I can use. There are quizzes and exercises for the students to access.
There has been no school all week for my district. Therefore, I figured that I would spend some time this week reading the manuals for my SmartBoard system and become acquainted with it. However, a little snafu with that plan…I cannot find the manuals. I looked all around my room at school and at the house. I have had no luck in finding them…strike one.
The next part of my plan involved accessing the company’s website to explore any tutorials that might be available. However, since I do not have the manuals and cannot remember what the name of the company is...strike two.
The only thing that can be done now is to get prepped for the rest of the semester by looking ahead and locating all supplementary materials that I will need for classes. This will be accomplished by looking through my textbook and figuring out what topics will be covered. Then, I will explore the internet and United Streaming to locate videos and other curriculum related items that will engage my students. I have used EdHelper in the past and will use it again. I will also be looking on the textbook publisher’s website to determine what online material I can use. There are quizzes and exercises for the students to access.
Rough week? Me too. Can't you type in SmartBoard and find resources and information that way? I know there is a Smartboard website.
ReplyDeleteRay,
ReplyDeleteVirginia is right, there is a site you can use to read up on SmartBoards and even download some info on them. The site is http://education.smarttech.com/ste/en-us/. Also, having used them for the last 3 years, if you have any questions on them, or need any help with making something work, shoot me an email (travis.bower@waldenu.edu). United streaming is a great tool to use, and I often pull a variety of videos off there to show my kids. You might also want to check out teachertube. They have some good videos there too.
I found that technology.com has alot of new lesson plans for Promethean Board and Smartboard. I also found some great interactive lesson plans on PBS.org.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain. Just last week, I had my school laptop upgraded to Windows 7, then I upgraded my Promethean Board software. then I found out that neither were compatible with each other and that my Promethean would not work until the software patch became available later in the week. To compound it all, I had my Principal coming in to evaluate my class (of course he wanted to see me using the PB). It all worked out, as Promethean pushed out the update sooner than expected. And Windows & is my new best friend as it helped fix the driver issues on its own.
Ray,
ReplyDeleteDon't over think this issue - many great tutorials on the use of a Smart Board can be found with a quick Google search. However, if your school has training sessions, I would highly recommend attending them, even if you need to do so on your own time. At our school, the "Smart Board lady", as we call her, comes in once every other month and your can sign up for a training slot during your prep period. Even though it is difficult to work because of the loss of that time, I have found the sessions to be immensely helpful! Hang in there - you will master this and enjoy its use once you have done so! The magic pen is an awesome feature, and it will dazzle your students!
-Stephen St. Georges
Ray, it is Thanksgiving! Although you may have set a great goal you have to realize that your family come first. Spending time with them is the most important part. Now that this time is over do not use little excuses to not becoming a smart board user. Keep on working hard!
ReplyDeleteHi everybody,
ReplyDeleteThank you for all of your pointers. I really appreciate them. My biggest problem is the fact that I am not sure what brand of interactive white board I have. I use the term "SmartBoard" just as a generic term...easier than typing out interactive white board all the time.