Not-So-SMARTBoards

By Kim Strauch

In the past several years, SMARTBoards have become fixtures in many SHS classrooms. In some cases, this chalkless technology has revolutionized faculty’s teaching style for the better. In others, the gizmos have functioned as little more than a traditional whiteboard; their high-tech features go almost entirely unused. Since the SMARTBoards carry a hefty price tag—approximately $3,200 each—the District Technology Department has decided to re-evaluate their installation. Maroon agrees with this recent decision to hold off on further installation of these touch screen boards for the time being.

In the hands of the technologically savvy, SMARTBoards may confer significant advantages over standard chalkboards. For example, science teacher Patricia Jablonowski and math teacher Doug Vermes have made great use of the device. Jablonowski uses it to display interactive physics simulations that are enhanced by the SMARTBoard. Vermes, who is well-versed in the technology, takes notes on his presentations on his SMARTBoard and uploads them to his web interface.

This seems to be a main advantage of the new devices over traditional chalkboards—that the work invested in writing on them can be downloaded and the board then erased. This distinctive feature, although it can be useful at times, may not enhance student learning. It may promote a more passive type of education, in which students kick back and stare at a screen (not so different from a TV) instead of taking notes—secure in the knowledge that they can view the notes later, on the web. As many students do learn and retain concepts and facts better from writing things out as they hear them, this new technology may therefore not necessarily enhance the learning experience.

More often than not, teachers either do not have the requisite training to take advantage of the device’s distinctive features or simply prefer not to. For many teachers, the SMARTBoard has become little more than a gigantic mouse: a cool toy that adds nothing to their teaching method. Some teachers use the SMARTBoard exclusively for displaying PowerPoint presentations and presenting internet animations. Such basic procedures could be easily accomplished with a standard whiteboard and mounted projector—approximately $1,500—a much more cost-effective option.

Even more disappointing, some SMARTBoards sit idle in classrooms. The teachers prefer to use transparencies and overhead projectors for their visual presentations, leaving a rather expensive elephant in the room, similar to a pricey treadmill collecting dust in one’s basement.

In these times of fiscal austerity, Scarsdale cannot afford to install SMARTBoards in every classroom. If the district wants more bang for its buck, it should stick to whiteboards and mounted projectors. A far better way to utilize funds would be to steer clear of this technology entirely and spend money on things that will actually help students. Holding off further SMARTBoard installation until teachers are adequately trained with the technology is a SMARTChoice.