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By Anu Anand
Technology Teacher and Director of Staff and Program Development

If you haven't already, please stop by the new computer lab in our newly renovated location adjacent to the Afternoon's room. We are excited to have a new space equipped with 12 computers and a brand new SMART Board™. The availability of many computers and a large space makes the lab a perfect place for children to work collaboratively using the interactive whiteboard, or to explore applications independently on their own computers.

The SMART Board™ is a presentation device that interfaces with a computer. The computer images are displayed on the board by a digital projector, where they can be seen and manipulated. Students can control software both from the computer and from the board. By using their finger as a mouse, the children can run applications directly from the board and use their hands or fingers to move objects across it. The SMART Board's™ interactive capabilities make it a wonderful tool to be used with children.

Main Circle students view Minoan pottery during their computer lab time.

Five day preschoolers have been using the lab to reinforce their learning of habitats with Dawn during Science time. By using the SMART Board™ to watch media clips on United Streaming, the children have been able to peek into the habitats of different kinds of animals to see how they are designed to meet a particular animal's needs. Kindergarten students have been reinforcing their knowledge of rhyming words using SMART Notebook software. The software enables them to identify, match and generate new rhyming words using their fingers or hands to drag objects across the screen or by using a digital pen and highlighting tool to identify ending sounds of rhyming words or to circle word families. Kindergartners are now generating their own word families and their own books of rhyming words.

Primary Circle students have incorporated the SMART Board technology into their study of recycling. They used it to collaboratively access and research various child-oriented web sites on both recycling and student created newspapers. This inspired them to create their own recycling themed newspaper with original headlines and articles about recycling. They are enjoying the experience of working together on this project and have reflected that they like doing this work on the large screen as opposed to their own individual computers -- proving that accelerated learning often happens through visual techniques as opposed to verbal instruction.

Main Circle students have been using the SMART Board™ with Annie to gain a more in-depth understanding of the Indonesian culture by viewing Indonesian art and crafts on a large scale. The Oldest Group has been spending Monday and Wednesday mornings in the lab working on their writing. With our increased size, the whole group can be together writing while the teachers circulate amongst the students to read, review and provide direct feedback on each student's writing. Both groups will have more interaction in the Computer Lab during Cycle II.

Interactive capabilities and ease of navigation make the SMART Board™ a very appealing tool for children. I have noticed that they are more focused because there is a large focal point and colorful image in the room. The SMART Board™ also supports different learning styles. Tactile learners benefit from touching the board or using tools to touch it, auditory learners benefit from the discussion and the multimedia capabilities it generates, visual learners can see what is taking place as it develops on the board. Students with limited motor skills enjoy its use because it is easier for them to run programs by tapping on the board rather than mouse clicking.

Students working together at the board also develop important social skills. They take an active role in teaching by using this tool to share their skills and knowledge with the whole class – it's a terrific confidence builder! In addition, children learn to take risks, challenge themselves, and practice patience. Children demonstrate leadership skills and support each other through increased collaboration. Stop by anytime!