Struggles with the SmartBoard

This is a cross post with the Global Learner's blog.
After taking a math technology course this summer, one of my projects was to prepare a tech lesson extending past our comfort zone. With me, it's the SmartBoard. I planned a lesson around congruency shortcuts of triangles because I thought that the ability to manipulate the tools (ruler and protractors) as well as the triangles themselves would be an appropriate use of the capabilities of the SmartBoard. I felt a had a great lesson, with background-building vocabulary, questions with answers covered with the screen shade, sequential topics to investigate which short-cuts work, and conversation topics for each slide--all prepared on the SmartBoard notebook.

However, as I'm sure we've all experienced, the lessons that seem great in theory flop in the classroom. I struggled very hard to line up my ruler and protractor using my finger, so measuring 3 pieces of two different triangles was long and frustrating. Even sorting objects by dragging them around seemed difficult and tedious. If I got a student brave enough to attack the tools, it still left the rest of the class unengaged and bored quickly. I adapted the rest of the lesson in order to cover the main points. Any writing I did was very hard to read since my orientation was off no matter how many times I tried to readjust (and my SmartBoard was against the wall.)

The main points of the SmartBoard that I would like to exploit are the ability to work out problems and record in real time and/or save and the manipulablity. Without these features, I don't see much difference than projecting on a regular screen. I try to be very cautious about using technology effectively and not just for the sake of using technology. However, I do not feel that the ability to save is great enough to offset the difficulties in writing and reading the work. And the ability to manipulate items can be powerful... for the person doing it, but leaves the rest of the class unengaged. It would be no different than me manipulating something from my laptop or with a wireless mouse for the class to view on a regular screen.

With this, I am looking forward to the Global Leaner chat this week, which happens to be about SmartBoards. I would love feedback on how the SmartBoard is used effectively in your classes, especially with secondary students. How does it keep the whole class engages? How does it benefit students who miss class? How can the benefits over projecting on a screen be maximized? And how can all of this be done on a regular basis?

Nice Change

Who has all the time to blog? During conferences I do. I just had a cool thing go on today. I was talking with Paul in W118 about how I don't know what to do with my 5th hour and how I get real frustrated with them. He suggested to just try putting on a super positive front. I had to have them take some notes because we are starting a new topic and he suggested addressing the class and telling them how great they are going to do on this topic and how I need them to pay very close attention and take notes for the next 10 minutes so that they can be as successful as I know they can be. I tried to keep this positive mentality going all the way to class, I greeted students at the door by name and told all of them hello. I was super positive and front loaded them with compliments and how I know they will be very successful....etc. The crazy thing is that it worked! The students were very productive today and exceeded my expectations on their assignment. Just wanted to give anyone else who's facing frustration with their classes some hope. Fake it until they make it.

PD sessions

Hey Guys and Gals,
I want to share a few thoughts about the PD sessions we have had up to this date. Personally, I am not very comfortable standing up front as if you were my students. I also don't feel I was prepared to be the presenter/facilitator, as I didn't really know what to plan for. After talking to Kevin I feel I will have a better chance to get ready ahead of time, when I know what our task will be and a calendar of objectives will be established. I propose moving to a setting where we will be arranged in a more collaborative setting, where you are all facing each other, rather than front center as if in a classroom. I have tables and chairs in my room. Any objections to moving?

I also welcome any thoughts, suggestions, or criticisms you have in how our meetings are managed. You can even post anonymously or speak to me personally or by e-mail if you prefer.
TD