The Smart Board

Nagat Zeinelabdin

The Smart Board 

Definition and components:

The Smart Board is an interactive whiteboard that uses touch detection for user. A projector is used to display a computer’s video output on the interactive board, which reacts as a large touch screen. The Smart Board comes with usually four digital pens, which use digital ink and replace traditional whiteboard markers. In most cases, Smart Boards register only one touch or dual-touch interactive whiteboard.

Functioning and operation:

The Smart Board operates in a system that includes an interactive whiteboard, a computer, a projector and software called Smart Notebook collaborative learning software. The components are connected via USB or serial cables. A projector connected to the computer displays the computer’s desktop image on the interactive whiteboard. The interactive whiteboard accepts touch input from a finger, pen or other solid object. Each contact with the interactive whiteboard is interpreted as a left-click from the mouse. Smart Board can also function as a front-projection flat-panel display – interactive surfaces that fit over plasma or LCD display panels. The Smart Board uses Digital Vision Touch technology to detect and respond to touch interactions on the interactive whiteboard surface. This camera-based touch technology for interactive whiteboards and interactive displays uses digital cameras and proprietary software and firmware to detect finger or pen contact with the screen. That contact is then interpreted as finger or pen activity. The Smart Board works with any program loaded on the computer. Some of the applications commonly used are Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word and all Internet applications.

Personal experience:

In the DLI, we use the Smart Board on daily bases for teaching, training, conducting meetings, and delivering presentations. The features and applications of the program are many and diverse. One advantage is that every person can work on it to the level of his knowledge; the more a teacher learns about the program the wider he/she can extend his applications. Another advantage is that it is easy to learn and easy to use for both the teachers and the students. A third advantage is that a teacher can perform almost all of the teaching tasks on it. Writing, reading, listening, internet display, video and TV applications constitute some of the teaching needs that it provides. On the other hand, disadvantages include that its hand writing is not good looking and not so easy to manage. A second problem is that the board often gets unfocussed and that it needs continuous readjusting on the reflective whiteboard.

References:

Futuresource Consulting Interactive Displays (2009, Quarter 4). ICT Products Market: Quarterly Insight State of the Market Report, 31 January 2010. Retrieved from http://www.futuresource-consulting.com/

Liebrecht, D. (2007, November 27).West Area Gets Smart With Technology. The Ledger. Retrieved from http://www.theledger.com/article/20071127/NEWS14/711270453/1229/CAMPUS40

SMART Boards & Electronic White Boards. (2009). Teacher’s Lounge. Retrieved from http://www.gradebook.org/whiteboards.htm

Rajani Baburajan. (2009). U.S. the Largest Adopter of White Boards: Smart Technologies. TMCnet Education, the Largest Adopter of White Boards: Smart Technologies.