SMART+Stories

SMART Stories
Read a few inspiring stories that have demonstrated how teachers are transforming there classroom practices!  **About Fred** by Mary The SMARTboard has changed the way I approach teaching and learning. I always had a high level of engagement in my classroom, and I never expected that something could increase the level of participation in my class. However, from a simple warm-up to a fully interactive Notebook lesson, my students are always ready and willing to put their minds to mathematics. The most recent story I can think to tell is dealing with a troubled student named Fred (not his real name). Fred was present in his elementary school math class for probably 30% of the time - all the rest of the time was either in the principal’s office or the Special Ed. room. We had many meetings about Fred before he entered our school, and we had a whole behavior plan in place for him. As soon as he entered my room, I have him jobs that involve technology; before I got the board, Fred turned on the computers. After I got the board, Fred was in charge of setting the timer, freezing the projector screen, etc. I am happy to report that Fred is spending 100% of his time in my room, focused on math. His behavior and attitude have changed dramatically, and he is making huge gains in his education. I feel so blessed that I received the SMARTboard because I know it is impacting every student, every day.

 **Results!** by Jeri As I work on increasing students engagement in the classroom, I also look for increased achievement. Believe it or not, it doesn’t always match up. An engaged student that is not receiving “just right” instruction will not necessarily make the desired gains. Last week I noted those desired academic gains after using the SMARTboard. As I began my unit on Native Americans I used my previous methods of books and paper and pencil activities for the first region. My team members and I worked on the SMARTboard activities for the following week. We inserted websites and video clips in short segments followed by student learning team activities for engagement with the content. After three weeks of instruction, one without the SMARTboard and two with it, I assessed students for achievement. The results were amazing. Recall of the lessons with the SMARTboard was twice of that with the book, paper/pencil activity. Now that’s results!

**[|Read more stories in this blog]** that illustrate how best instructional practices, the intention of using 21st Century skills, and collaborative learning experiences with SMARTboard tools have made a positive impact on the learning of students in Colorado classrooms! Participate in **[|conversations about 21st Century learning]**.