Smartboard Smarts

     So as we always hear when wondering how to get out students interested...get them engaged!  The Smartboard is an amazing tool that a lot of us now have to use in our classrooms.  Sadly, a lot of us are just using it as a glorified projector screen!  I was overwhelmed with all of the tools and options and unfortunately, I was not offered much training.  Luckily, youtube has a bunch of videos that you can view to pick up some tips!  Below is one of my favorites as it has quite a few tips (27) in a relatively short period of time (9 minutes).

Below is a link to a more thorough video that was a bit longer (approx. 1 hour and 10 minutes) as well as a link to the official smartboard website.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcRJW-arn48

http://smarttech.com/smartboard

Using Technology and Primary Sources in the Classroom

     In order to engage students, it is often necessary to make ideas less abstract.  They also need to be allowed to explore on their own.  A great way to accomplish this is by using original, primary documents.  Luckily, the internet has allowed more freedom regarding the availability of primary sources.  One no longer has to visit archives or print out tons of papers.

  If a doc viewer is present, the whole class can go over a single sheet together.  Or, if a few laptops or ipads are available, students can explore different documents on their own.  For example, when learning about the Civil War, the Abraham Lincoln Papers available at The Library of Congress can be fun to look at.  Students can "get inside" the mind of the President by looking at this collection of papers.

Below is a video regarding the use of primary sources in the classroom.