Assignment #2: SMART Board (Required)

Click the following link to download my SMART board presentation about Evaporation.
This learning activity is designed for a third-grade science lesson, but it could be used for other grades, as well. During the presentation, I will use the writing feature of the SMART board to type a text box in order to list answers to questions about evaporation. In addition, I would use the SMART pen to write on the board or allow children to write answers the board, when needed.

This SMART board activity involves the following four standards for both students and teachers:

NETS Standards for Students:
1. Creativity and Innovation- Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students:
a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression
c. use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues
d. identify trends and forecast possibilities

2. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making- Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decision using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students:
a. identify and define authentic problems and significant quiestions for investigation
b. plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project
c. collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions
d. use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions

This particular SMART board activity meets these two standards in similar ways. Students must predict why and how they believe that evaporation is a work in the example given at the beginning of the lesson. Consequently, students must take what they know of the world and apply it to the given situation, both creatively and critically. Throughout the lesson, they must not only reflect on previous knowledge, but they must also analyze the given situation and predict reasonable outcomes as they explore the scientific topic of evaporation. Therefore, I believe that my SMART board lesson fulfills both of the above NETS Standards for Students.

Also,
NETS Standards for Teachers:
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity- Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:
a.promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness
b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources
c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes
d. model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments

2. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning- Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers:
a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations
b. collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation
c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats
d. model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning

Additionally, the activity meets the above standards for teachers, because teachers must use their technological, social, and teaching skills to perform the SMART board lesson. As they engage students in the lesson, both virtually and face-to-face (by having students watch the SMART board as well as write on it), they are modeling the current technological tools for teaching science. In doing so, educators will ideally challenge students to learn and grow through the processes of critically thinking and analyzing. The SMART board is a fun way to show students the benefits of technology in the classroom.

For the sake of learning in my future classroom, I think that the SMART board would be very effective. Children get excited to engage in interactive activities, and the SMART board would be an excellent way to allow them to have fun while learning, hence making learning more enjoyable and exciting. If my students are enjoying what they are learning, then they will want to learn more. Therefore, as the SMART board hopefully piques their curiosity into the elements of science and other subjects, they will be more engaged in school and education. I hope that by using the SMART board, I will creatively and effectively portray subject matter and lessons in a way that will help students remember what they are learning. I am now very excited about using the SMART board in my future classroom, especially now that I feel more comfortable with using it.