Welcome to our class

What do you need to know for the first day of class? You need to know what the class is about, who your instructors are, what materials you will need, and what you will be doing this semester. We’re going to briefly cover all of these things during today’s class. 

What is this class about? It’s about learning to use SMART Technologies in K12 learning environments.

Who are your instructors?

Mike Smith: I graduated with my BA in Drama and Theater back in 2001 and spent the next many years working in professional theater.  I started as an actor, but spent most of my career working in technical theater, mainly as a stage manager.  And after about eight years of this I decided to completely change my goals and life and returned to UGA where I’m working on my masters in English Education.  As a stage manager I worked with technologies that help you organize your life and also I’ve been fascinated by electrical stage equipment.  As soon as I had the chance I started working with education technology.  I’m very excited about the opportunity to use my interests in both theater and technology in a high school English classroom.  I’m looking forward to this class and working with each of you.

Gretchen Thomas: I’m a former classroom teacher who believes that the more comfortable we are with technologies in our own lives the more likely we will be to use them in our classrooms for teaching and learning. As a parent, I believe that children should have opportunities to use multiple tools and resources – including technology – to become lifelong learners. As a UGA graduate, I believe it is important to prepare you to represent my alma mater in your future career in a manner which would make anyone proud (including your grandmother). You can learn more about me and my family from my facebook page or my information sheet.

What materials do you need? Your brain. And maybe a pencil.

What will you be doing this semester? You’ll be learning more about SMART Tools: SmartBoard, SmartTable, Student Response Systems, document cameras, and more. Then, we’ll apply what you’ve learned to a K-12 classroom setting.

What do you need to do before next Wednesday’s class?

1. Download Notebook software. Use this product key: SR-SIDAI-R2EJB-WQBWF-AGAAA  Once you’ve downloaded it, make sure you are able to open it and navigate around in it.

2. Complete the student information sheet.

What goes in my SMART lesson?

Your lesson isn’t due for another month or so (we’ll pick the due date later) – but here’s what it should be:

 

• An original lesson/set of lessons based on specific curriculum standards (most of you will use the Georgia Performance Standards)
• It should incorporate one or more SMART tools: SMART Board, SMART Table, SMART Response System,  or the document camera
• The lesson should be written using SMART Notebook software
• You must include Teaching Notes and the specific standard(s) addressed

What else is out there?

There are some fantastic online resources that you can use to engage your students.  This blog has an organized list of flash-based games and tools your students can use for various topics.

You can also read some of the debate about how “transformative” interactive whiteboards are.  Doug Johnson has a nice take on it. Look over his survey here (make sure to read the comments) and then his response to comments here.

Check your email for the Notebook Software Key.

Working Through Lessons

Today we’ll look at existing lessons from SmartExchange and make updates and improvements – using your savvy skills from last week.

For Wednesday:

1. Create a 2-3 slide tutorial for teachers to learn how to do something interesting in SMART Notebook (tips and tricks, not “how to use the pen).

Notebook Software – Day Two

Why would students need a SMART bracelet?

Today we’re exploring tips and tricks using Smart Notebook software. We’ll look at the Gallery and other features within the program.

A 2-minute tutorial on using the Gallery in Notebook.

A 2-minute tutorial on Page Sorter in Notebook.

A 2-minute tutorial on object animation in Notebook.

A ridiculous number of YouTube videos on SMART Technologies.

For Next Wednesday:

1. Use one of the activities from this Notebook Lesson (from today’s class) and make improvements – improvement is up to you! Don’t forget the tools (not just images) in the Gallery that you can use. Try to make it link with your subject/grade level.

2. Table Toolkit Software – to create activities for the SMART Table.

Getting Started with Notebook

Last week we looked at many of the tools we’ll be using this semester. For homework, you visited the Smart Exchange website and selected one lesson activity to review. We’ll share what you found at the beginning of class today.

For the duration of the semester, you’ll have a SMART bracelet to use to create materials for this class and any others you are taking this semester. Please note: the software on these bracelets can only be used to create activities to be used on SMART hardware. In addition, bracelets will be returned at the end of the semester – so make sure to keep up with them and bring them with you to class each week.

Today we’ll be looking at SMART Notebook. This is software that allows you to create interactive learning activities and student assessments. While it may look a bit similar to PowerPoint – don’t be fooled – it can do so much more.  You’ll be using Notebook throughout the semester to download, view, adapt, and create interactive learning activities. We’ll cover the basics today and continue to learn about Notebook over the next few weeks.

For next Wednesday:

1. Update the Notebook software on your bracelet. Make sure to look through the Gallery to see what is available (the picture frame icon on the tool bar).

2. Revisit the lesson you reviewed for today’s class – download it using the software on your bracelet. No need to write anything down – just notice how it is different when viewed with the Student Notebook Software.

3. View at least one tutorial video on Notebook software.

4. Friend SMART on Facebook.

Resources from today:

Harvey’s Homepage – interactive math activities

Welcome to SMARTer Teaching!!

Before class begins – please complete the following:

1. Make a name card
2. Start responding to the student information survey.
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What do you need to know for the first day of class? You need to know what the class is about, who your instructor is, what materials you will need, and what you will be doing this semester. We’re going to briefly cover all of these things during today’s class.

What is this class about? It’s about learning to use SMART Technologies in K12 learning environments.

Who are your instructors?

James Griffin is an Education Consultant for SMART Technologies.  He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2001 and holds a Masters in Instructional Technology from Lesley University.  Prior to joining SMART he was a middle grades Social Studies teacher, then became a Technology Integration Support Specialist for Clarke County School District. During those six years, he designed and implemented staff training and professional development to support the planning and implementation for the adoption of SMART Board interactive whiteboards district wide. He was able to provide training and professional development for all teaching staff on a variety of education products.

Gretchen: I’m a former classroom teacher who believes that the more comfortable we are with technologies in our own lives the more likely we will be to use them in our classrooms for teaching and learning. As a parent, I believe that children should have opportunities to use multiple tools and resources – including technology – to become lifelong learners. As a UGA graduate, I believe it is important to prepare you to represent my alma mater in your future career in a manner which would make anyone proud (including your grandmother). You can learn more about me and my family from my facebook page or my information sheet.

What materials do you need? Your brain. And maybe a pencil.

What will you be doing this semester? You’ll be learning more about SMART Tools: SmartBoard, SmartTable, Student Response Systems, document cameras, and more. Then, we’ll apply what you’ve learned to a K-12 classroom setting.

What do you need to do before next Wednesday’s class?

1. Recruit a friend to take this class.
2. If you have a Twitter account (or even if you don’t) follow our class Twitter account for updates (and prizes!): @smarterteaching
3. Using the Smart Exchange website:

• Download one lesson that is relevant to your subject and/or grade (Here’s the link to the tool you use to view the lessons: For PCs / For Macs)
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the downloaded lesson (bullet points are fine)
• Make sure you only download a Notebook file at this time (Do not download response or table activities)
• Be prepared to share your opinions and lesson next Wednesday