SMARTboards have been in our classrooms for a few months now. Teachers have become comfortable with them and they are now a natural part of the environment. I remember the first session we did introducing the SMARTboard. Jamie Majeski with all his cajoling was not able to get any of us up to try it. Although we have come a long way, we realize we have a long way to go. Without question the pace is quickening.
On Saturday a few of us are attending SMART's day-long professional development session at Appleby College in Oakville. There is great enthusiasm for this project. Mrs. Reurink's grade seven students did exceptionally well on their recent Integers test in mathematics. She attributes this result to the SMARTboard. It enabled integer processes to be modeled in several different semi-concrete ways. In addition students were able to interact with the board to aid in explaining their thinking.
None of us doubts the value of this technology. While the evidence is anecdotal at this point, we expect to see improvement in student achievement that can be linked to the SMARTboard and to the way it is a catalyst for change in classroom practise.
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