Technology Reflection: Instructional use of Smart Boards

Description/Experience
The technology from the last seminar was SmartBoards. I personally had a lot of experience with SmartBoards in my high school; we had one in almost every classroom. Honestly, I didn't take away anything from the seminar. It was all focused on elementary (as usual), and soley for math and science. I like SmartBoards a lot, but the presentation wasn't very helpful for me specifically.

Application
I would break the classroom up into two groups. Each group would come up with questions (regarding whatever novel we were reading at the time), and the other group would try their best to answer them. They would present their questions on the SmartBoard using a matching game type set up - the questions would be on the front part of the slide, and with a tap of the board, the slide would flip over to reveal the answer. The students would physically be in charge of bringing up questions and answers on the SmartBoard.

First, provide some details regarding:

• Learners: This could be designed for any Language Arts class from 7th-12th grade.
• Learning outcomes:The students will have a better idea of ideas, concepts, characters and factual information from the novel.
• Assessment: I would specifically ask questions based on this activity on the exam that they would usually take in regards of the novel. I would even use a handful of questions verbatim. 

Second, break down your activity into a timeline of planned events and procedures. Here you should describe what students and the teacher will be doing chronologically during the activity. Below is one of the good examples from previous reflections:

• The students would be broken up into 2 separate groups
• They would each come up with questions (at least one per student), as well as the answers
• They would use the handheld smartboard keypads to create their slides on the smartboard, question on one side, answer on the other
• One group would present their questions and the other group gives their answers, then we would switch 

--Pedagogical-Content:

• My strategy is having my students come up with their own questions based on their knowledge, as well as the answers. They would have a better concept on the novel because they would be discussing it with their friends. They could talk to one another on an informal level until everyone understands what's going on. It's more fun for them to answer their friend's questions rather than my own on a piece of paper. 
• I would be concerned about how they would behave and answer questions. Although it's more fun for them to answer their friend's questions, they might not take it as seriously. I would have to make sure that the students were putting forth full effort to properly answer the questions logically and discuss it thoroughly. 

--Technological-Pedagogical:

• The use of this technology would support the way I teach by providing a fun way for my students to be involved in the activity. Using the SmartBoard instead of a regular piece of paper or chalk board is more interesting for the students. It is a hands-on type of instructional tool that they would possibly consider a toy, which is good! Toys are fun! It would support me in keeping my students' attention as well.
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• As far as classroom management goes, I would have to keep an extra eye on the students who have the smartboard handheld keyboard with them. They are expensive and shouldn't be tossed around. The class would be broken up into two large groups - I would walk around and eaves drop, making sure everyone was staying on task. This is for secondary use, so the students shouldn't have to be to severely monitored. 

--Technological Pedagogical Content:

• This would help deepen explanations of the novel we would be reading. It is essentially a structured class discussion. The students would be able to communicate with one another and make sure that each person understands the answer to the question. For bigger, more complex questions (such as ones related to theme), it's a prime opportunity for students to verbally express that they have knowledge of the existent theme. It is also an opportunity for them to see questions and answers written out in front of them in a way they will remember, rather than just on a piece of notebook paper.
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• The students can see what their peers think about the novel. Without this technology, it would take excess communication on their own time to study and gain better knowledge on certain ideas and concepts. The SmartBoard is basically a fun way for them to feed off each other's ideas and make sure they understand the novel in depth.