SMART Board Tools Quick Reference

SMART Board usage is growing fast in Burlington this year. These interactive boards give teachers many options for classroom instruction and student participation. Teachers can use the SMART Notebook, interactive websites, Microsoft Office docs, Open Office docs, videos, images, and just about anything else that runs on a computer.

The SMART Board is most powerful when you use the SMART Board Tools. These adjustable tools can be used in any program and give you the power of many of the features of SMART Notebook anytime you want them. The SMART Board Tools can be kept open at all times. You can usually open the SMART Board Tools by going to the START menu and clicking on the list for SMART Board Drivers.

Click on the following link to view information on many of the items located in the SMART Notebook Toolbar and Desktop Tools:

SMART Board Toolbar Quick Reference Guide

Friendly Reminder: U: Drives

Every employee in the school district has access to a network folder, or U: Drive. This network folder is backed up frequently in an effort to preserve precious data. Desktops and laptops are NOT backed up on the network, so any data saved locally (c: drive, My Documents, etc.), could be lost in the event of a hard drive failure.

Each user’s U: drive is mapped automatically at login and can be accessed by opening up my computer. For further assistance or any questions, contact your building technology rep.

Interactive Resource Websites

If you are trying to incorporate more technology into your classroom, the resources available can be overwhelming. One of the best ways to find these resources is a simple Google or Bing search but we rarely have the time to look through thousands of pages of results.

Over the past few years I have made a list of some great free content available online. I have linked 4 pages of interactive technology resources below. Many of the pages have content perfect for using with a SMART Board. Some of the pages include games for play and learning.

If you are starting to use a SMART Board in your classroom, there are many different ways to make the educational experience more interactive. Along with the SMART Notebook and its Essentials for Educators Gallery, SMART Boards are perfect for using interactive resources such as simulations, educational games, images, and videos. Many of the links included in the following pages include these kinds of resources.

One of the links is to the Fox Hill Elementary School website where Mr. Donoff has created several excellent lists of interactive pages.

Please click on the links below to open the pages:

Interactive Technology 1

Interactive Technology 2

Interactive Technology 3

Interactive Technology 4

Here is a cool Site I found with lots of uses for Ipods in schools

http://learninginhand.com/ipod/index.html

How Do I Do That?

A new BPS educational technology program begins on Tuesday, September 15.

The How Do I Do That? program will help BPS teachers explore the extensive technology available for our classrooms. The program will include monthly workshop sessions featuring specific technology topics. Teachers will be able to get individualized instruction and assistance with technology needs during each session.

Teachers may attend any session they wish. Participants do not need to "sign up" for the sessions. Each Tuesday will serve as an "open house" for educational technology.

The program begins with one session per month meeting in the B10 computer lab at Marshall Simonds Middle School. (The lab is located upstairs in the 8th grade hallway near the library) We hope to see other sessions available at each school during the year.

The first session is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15. The featured topic will be SMART Board set up and the SMART Notebook software. The session will be open from 2-4:30pm.

Click here for more information about the program

Please email Dennis Villano, MSMS Media Specialist, with any questions about the program: villano@burlington.mec.edu

SMART Board Set Up Guide

If you are looking for some assistance with your new SMART Board make sure to check out our SMART Board set up guide for teachers. The guide includes step by step instructions for setting up a SMART Board, LCD Projector, and computer.

Before setting up the SMART Board make sure you have all the necessary materials. Also, place the 4 stylus pens and eraser in the SMART Board tray before getting started.

The last page of the guide includes several links to great interactive resources, downloads, lessons, and help with using the SMART Board.

Click here for the SMART Board set up guide

ALSO - Check back here on the BPS IT blog for an upcoming SMART Board set up video.

*! Big news !* Dennis V is going to help contribute to this Blog. In upcoming posts we will try to relay useful info about technology to the district including videos, tutorials, helpful tricks, and more pictures. Stay tuned

First week of school was hectic, but rewarding. We are still delivering equipment, but all teacher laptops are out, new labs are up and running, and most of the new Smartboards have been delivered. Minis are being configured as I type this and will go out soon.