Azusa Pacific University EDUC 515

Murrieta Regional Center Spring 2 June 2014

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Case Study: Smart Board Technology
Kimberly Pollak
EDUC 515
Professor Dr. Jeffrey Lee
Azusa Pacific University: Murrieta Regional Center
June 7, 2014









Azusa Pacific University EDUC 515
Murrieta Regional Center Spring 2 June 2014
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Introduction
In this case study I will be reporting the integration of the SMART board technology and
its effects on teaching. By the end of this paper the reader will know how the SMART board is
used in a classroom setting and its effects on the students learning. Students with special needs
as well as general education students use the interactive whiteboard in classrooms around the
nation. Well find out if students with multiple intelligences would benefit from the interaction
of the SMART board. The question is if the students will be engaged and take away information
from the multiple subjects and lesson taught in classrooms daily.
Background Information
Interactive technology is in the news each and every day. Schools across the nation are
integrating different types of technology into their classrooms to help teach students in a more
interactive way. While searching for information regarding the SMART board, there were many
teachers whom had written dissertations about integrating the SMART board into their
classrooms. This was a start in finding out pertinent information for this case study. Research
shows that interactive whiteboards were the key to increasing ones motivation to learn.
Why use a SMART Board in the Classroom
When looking at using the SMART board in the classroom, one has to think of why a
teacher should use this type of technology in the classroom. According to news reports on
television, interactive whiteboards are known to have a positive influence on students
motivation to learn a subject. Todays students are heavily inundated with different types of
technology and limited attention span. They need to be visually stimulated in ways that differ
from previous generations. Teachers have to change their lessons to keep the attention of the
students. Now lets take a look at what research has to say about using interactive whiteboards in
Azusa Pacific University EDUC 515
Murrieta Regional Center Spring 2 June 2014
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the classroom. According to McEntyre, It is only when students are given the opportunity to
interact with the board that true increases in motivation can be measured. She also states that
when students were given the opportunity to physically move objects around on the board,
student attentiveness and motivation greatly increased.
Students want to learn. By using the SMART board we are fulfilling a need for every
student. Lets discuss students with special needs in the classroom. How will students with
autism be affected by having a SMART board in the classroom? According to Stephanie Ferris
(2010), The students with autism were engaged for up to 45 minutes compared to 15 minutes
before the integration of new technology began. The teachers believed that the reason for these
outcomes was because they were able to create an active learning environment for their students
and that the interactive whiteboard trained the students attention.
The Effects on Teaching
If youve ever been in a classroom and watched as a teacher led a lesson using the
interactive whiteboard then youd know that the students love getting involved in their own
learning. With the SMART board, students can help take charge of their own learning. Lets take
a look at the effectiveness across all age groups. Will elementary aged students benefit more
from using the SMART board in the classroom setting? The answer is no. All age groups have
shown to benefit from using the SMART board. McEntyre states that high school students who
use to sleep through math class feel the need to participate in class. When the teacher began
teaching using the interactive whiteboard students would jump out of their seats to answer
questions on the board. Its the interaction the student has with the whiteboard that has made the
difference in learning. The same is true for all grade levels. Interactive white boards contribute
Azusa Pacific University EDUC 515
Murrieta Regional Center Spring 2 June 2014
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to making lessons more enjoyable and fun, which in turn can increase motivation greatly
(McEntyre).
As stated above, multiple intelligences also benefit from using the interactive whiteboard.
Kinesthetic learners have the ability to get out of their seats and use the manipulatives by
touching the screen. Visual learners get more motivated by being able to use the SMART board.
Students who dont understand a math concept written as an equation better understand the
concept when it is visually represented on the screen (Ferris, 2010). The interactive whiteboard
can have a significant impact on our students and their ability to create new meaning from
different subjects while being taught by the teacher. Ferris (2010) states that the study of
introducing the interactive whiteboard to teach literacy, the teachers found that a key feature of
their lesson was the students interaction with the board. They noted in interviews how much the
children enjoyed walking up to the board and writing with the pens or using the touch screen.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the SMART board is said to be very effective to teach all grade levels
including special education and general education. The SMART board can be used with every
academic subject to enhance learning and to get the students involved in their own education.
Interactive whiteboards can take learning to a whole new level of learning, beyond teacher-
centered instruction to teacher guided discoveries utilizing sight, sound, and touch. Students have
the ability to go beyond one-dimensional thinking to become critical thinkers with the continued
use of the SMART board.



Azusa Pacific University EDUC 515
Murrieta Regional Center Spring 2 June 2014
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References
Ferris, S. A. (2010, September 1). The Impact of a SMART Board on the Literacy Teaching and
Learning in an Inclusion Third Grade Classroom. Retrieved June 7, 2014, from
http://digitalcommons.brockport.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=ehd_the
ses
McEntyre, M. (n.d.). The Effects Interactive Whiteboards have on Student Motivation. Retrieved
June 7, 2014, from http://mandymc.myweb.uga.edu/iwb%20synthesis.pdf