Smartboard+Training

toc There are a large number of resources that I have shared in workshops that are specific to Smartboards.

Smartboard Conference
Here are the notes for a recent presentation done for the Smart Asia Distributors Conference in Hong Kong.

Notebook file is here.

Smart Tech Presentation Outline

Digital Learning in Schools.

DigiLearning Pros:
 * Adding Student interest and motivation to lessons
 * Expanding learning beyond classroom walls.
 * Can “open classroom doors”
 * Can be used by schools as a marketing channel
 * Can lead to a broader range of subjects via remote learning.
 * Can lessen costs of other resources

DigiLearning Cons:
 * Added cost of equipment, software, training, maintenance
 * Can be seen by some stakeholders as taking time away from Core Business
 * Can be seen by teachers as an added duty to learn and integrate

My personal Perceptions of differences between Local and International School communities in Region. BIG DISCLAIMER!!


 * Local || (True) International ||
 * Very hierarchical schools and classrooms || Supportive of democratic classrooms ||
 * Classroom focus squarely on the teacher (big classroom model) || Support for individualized learning (PLPs, AFL, etc.) ||
 * Teachers accountable to positions up the hierarchy || Internal and external accountability esp. the IBO ||
 * Many critical tests which provide clear targets for teachers to work to || Final (end of secondary) examinations often dominate latter years but flexibility in earlier years ||

What are the lessons for vendors of digital learning tools (and consultants) from the above?


 * Target the areas of schools under the least pressure of external assessment (primary and early secondary with IS, Lower primary and secondary with LS.
 * Directly address the pressures on teachers by finding things that they do a lot of in preparation for examinations and show how the tools can “ease the burden”.
 * Find the “local champions” in schools and listen to their needs

The “technology take up” curve in schools: What are you currently doing for the 2.5%? (these guys do it tough!) They are generally looking for:
 * Respect from Peers
 * Promotional Opportunities (DL may not be the best thing!)
 * Membership of a supportive community of DL Evangelists.
 * Opportunities to grow professionally through the use of DL
 * Attendance at conferences, seminars, events.
 * Assistance with getting the next 2 groups onboard.

In a region where rote learning and drill and practice will get you wealth, fame and your picture on the back of a bus, it is incumbent on DL vendors to provide some incentives for teacher innovators. Sometimes these folk juggle many jobs in schools. Some ideas:
 * Membership of a regional “Smart Academy”
 * Supply of lots of evaluation copies of “partner content” for determining suitability in the region.
 * Partnering and supporting the development of really good innovative lessons that could be shown at a session at the IBO regional conference, the OTLA conference, the EARCOS administrators conference or the ACAMIS conference.
 * Supporting these teachers to either dub or subtitle the excellent lessons demonstrated on teacher podcasts such as Smartboard Lesson Podcasts or Teaching with Smartboard

Finally, this region has a lot of great programmers. Maybe an approach of supporting lessons by the creation of learning objects in Cantonese and geared to the curriculum would be a great help to local schools. Have a look at this New York State Vendor as an example: [|www.tequipment.com] ßœœ

Lesson Activity Toolkit
Here are some links to videos on using the Lesson Activity Toolkit media type="custom" key="2948185"