SmartBoard

This week we learned about SmartBoard. Even though I have already had experience using this program, I learned so much more about it! I think it's a great tool for the classroom if it is provided in the school. This is the biggest challenge, I think, it presents to taking advantage of what it has to provide for our students

As for student profiles. I think it could definitely be utilized by a couple different students. I think it could be really helpful for the hypothetical student Jack. Jack has ADHD, a fine motor disability, and a limited working memory. First, because we learned that SmartBoard is a form of resistant technology, it would be easy for Jack to interact even though he has fine motor disability. He could barely touch the screen and it would be activated. Also, SmartBoard has a lot of neat features (like being able to disassemble a cube, and making certain texts or features "disappear" and "reappear" by implementing layering). This would cater to his difficulty to concentrate by captivating his attention. Additionally, because slides are able to link non-linearally, his limited working memory would be scaffolded because SmartBoard allows for one slide to link to another not in any certain order.

I also think it could be really helpful for hypothetical student Sarah who has ataxic cerebral palsy. In fact, I have seen this in action at a school called John Coleman for students with severe disabilities who are mostly non-ambulatory, work really well. Even though Sarah may have trouble with balance or motor abilities, as mentioned above, SmartBoard is a form of resistant technology and would not let this get in the way. Additionally because she is always motivated and excited to be involved in class, I feel like she would be eager to get involved and learn how to use and react to this new form of technology.

On a different note, I think SmartBoard is a form of both adaptational and instructional technology. It is a form of adaptational technology because it could be used to modify or adapt materials to enlarge or make this interactive for a specific student. It could also be used as a form of instructional technology because it could be used as a tool to teach the entire class instead of using a powerpoint or lecture or another form of teaching.

I guess what plagues me most is that I wish I had SmartBoard for my classroom. How can we make this more accessible to all? How can we keep up with the ever increasing trend of technology while not implementing it in our classroom? Is it solely up to fundraising or do we need to continue to increase the public's awareness about its importance?