Smart Technology Re-published with permission from Tots-n-Tech Newsletter October 2011

Transcription

1 Smart Technology Re-published with permission from Tots-n-Tech Newsletter October 2011

2 1 Thomas Jefferson University Arizona State University OCTOBER E-Newsletter SMART TECHNOLOGY: THE SEQUEL In August, you were introduced to the SMART Board which may be used with children of all ages, especially in the classroom. Even preschool children may be successful when using the with the SMART Board. In This Issue The Sequel Child Proof and User Friendly PGS # 1-2 PG # 3 The SMART Table is a variation of the SMART Board and allows children to work together on one surface. This table was designed specifically for use by preschool to sixth grade students to promote collaboration, discussion, and social relationships. The primary difference between the SMART Board and the SMART Table is that the SMART Table is portable. Like the SMART Board, teachers engage their students in learning by the touch of their little fingers. The SMART Table comes with a toolkit that allows teachers to create endless numbers of activities. Teachers are able to customize ready-made activities as well as create new ones. And as students progress, activities may be redesigned as more challenging and engaging activities. Social and Emotional Development Want to Know More? PGS # 4-7 PG # 8 Ideas to Share PG # 9

3 2 The Sequel continued. The toolkit is carried on the SMART Table USB bracelet. Teachers use the bracelet to transfer digital activities between the table and their own computers. It s simple to use. Just plug the bracelet into the SMART Table and anything that is saved on it will appear on the table. Both the SMART Table and SMART Board allow teachers to create activities and transition between whole class and small group learning. Teachers may introduce a concept on the interactive whiteboard with a large group of students, then reinforce the concept through group work at the SMART Table learning center. Child Proof and User Friendly Like the SMART Board, the SMART Table provides opportunities for child to develop skills in five main areas of development: Cognitive Development a child s ability to learn and solve problems Social and Emotional Development a child s ability to interact with others Speech and Language Development a child s ability to understand and learn language Fine Motor Skills a child s ability to use small muscles, specifically their hands and fingers, to pick up small objects, hold a spoon, turn pages in a book, or use a crayon to draw. Gross Motor Skills a child s ability to use large muscles by walking, running, jumping, lifting, etc. ( ) The SMART Table was designed with young children in mind. because its durable surface is scratch proof and water resistant, children can safely lean, bump and move around as they work. Teachers, then, can relax and allow children to get carried away with their enthusiasm for the table and for collaborative learning.

4 3 Results from research studies emphasize the first five years of a child s life as the most important because these years create a foundation for healthy development. Children s cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional development is shaped during these years. This is where the SMART Table can be beneficial. ( ) Making friends. Showing anger in a healthy way. Figuring out conflicts peacefully. Waiting patiently. Following rules. Enjoying the company of others. Opportunities to learn and practice all of these are possible when working on the SMART Table. Child Proof and User Friendly Social and Emotional Development continued. Social and Emotional Development continued. Social and Emotional Development Want to Know More???

5 4 The SMART Table helps teachers make decisions in situations where there is a difference between what they would like to see their students accomplish and what is actually being accomplished. Here are a few scenarios to give you a general idea of how magical the SMART Table can be. Scenario 1: Making friends and enjoying the company of others Johnathan was new to this school and wanted to make friends but didn t know how. He often played by himself. When Ms. Mary, the teacher, noticed Johnathan sitting alone, she suggested that everyone get into groups at the SMART Tables. She downloaded an activity called Colors. This activity allowed beginning learners as well as children with special needs to explore different colors. Sarah, Jesse and Ryan were friends so they decided to form a group together. Ms. Mary told Johnathan to join them at their table for the activity. Johnathan shyly walked over to the group. Sarah asked Johnathan his favorite color and he said with his head down, red. Surprisingly, Sarah said, mine too with enthusiasm. In fact, the whole table shouted that red was their favorite color as well. Johnathan lifted his head up with amazement and a smile. He suggested that all of them paint pictures using the color red and to make up a story about it afterwards. The four of them laughed, joked, colored, and told stories for the remainder of the activity. Everyday they would get into groups and work together. This was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. You can find this activity on YouTube at:

6 5 Social Emotional Development Scenario 2: Showing anger in a healthy way and figuring out conflicts peacefully Tony, Amanda, and Liz were working on an activity called Kindergarten Shapes. In this activity, students match shapes to show their understanding of the configuration of multiple shapes. Amanda had a difficult time making and keeping friends and, when frustrated when she was unable to figure out certain tasks, became physically violent. The three children were working on Kindergarten Shapes together, when Amanda became agitated because she kept getting the shapes mixed up and wasn t putting them in the right spot. She banged on the table and gave Tony a little shove. Liz told Amanda that she would help her. When it was Amanda s turn again, Liz took her hand and placed it over Amanda s hand to guide her to the correct shape. The SMART Table began to make sounds of celebration because Amanda matched the correct shape. This made her very excited and she wanted to try again. This time she did it on her own but did not put the shape in the right spot. She began to get angry by stomping her feet, but immediately told her friends that she will definitely get it next time.

7 6 Scenario 3: Waiting patiently and following the rules Ms. Alexis s preschool class is learning how to be patient and to follow the rules. Her students were only preschoolers and were learning how to take turns and share. Ms. Alexis decided to introduce an activity called Taking Turns and Sharing. Students complete activities where they determine the characteristics of taking turns and sharing. Ms. Alexis began the activity by doing a whole class activity on the SMART Board. She first went around the classroom and asked students to tell her what taking turns meant to them. Then she asked them what sharing meant. She uploaded an activity onto the SMART Board called Great Beginnings: A First Day of School Welcome. The lesson facilitated practice in following directions and discussing 3 classroom rules.

8 7 She then uploaded an activity called Gingerbread Shape Hide. The object of this activity is to hide the gingerbread cookies behind a shape. Children take turns guessing a shape or number to see if the cookies are hiding there. Ms. Alexis told the students that they had to raise their hands when they wanted to answer or wait until she called on them to answer. The children really enjoyed this lesson. They were so excited and allowed their classmates to answer without calling out or getting upset. The second part of the activity was done in small groups where the children divided into groups around the SMART Table. The activity was called Body Parts. The children had to take turns naming the parts of the body of humans and animals. This lesson required students to wait for their turn, follow the directions, share, and take turns. This activity is available for viewing on YouTube at:

9 8 Where can you find these lessons along with other lessons??? All of these lessons/activities and more can be found on SMART Exchange. SMART Exchange is a resource found on This website allows you to search and download resources for free, share resource ideas, standards correlated lessons, join communities, and training opportunities. This site provides lesson plans for the SMART Table and connect with teachers. Some of the subjects that are available are art and design, language arts, geography, mathematics, science, foreign language, special education, and tons of other cool subjects. You can also visit to find more activities. To go directly to SMART Table activities, search Activities.aspx W ANT TO KNOW MORE? HELPFUL WEBSITES To learn about the SMART Table, visit Here you will also find information about SMART Table features and several demo videos of children actually using the Smart Table. SMART Technology has a quick reference guide for all users. This Quick Reference provides an orientation to the SMART Table activities software interface, and outlines instructions and student objectives for each learning activity. You can find this guide at moodle.cesa10.k12.wi.us/pluginfile.php/140206/mod_resource/content/0/smart_table/ SMART_Table_Quick_Reference.pdf. YouTube Videos about the SMART Table

10 9 I DEAS TO SHARE: TO PROMOTE COLLABORATION This table was built to provide a simple, cost effective way for a child to play with toys when seated on the floor. A simple tray was constructed out of triwall cardboard (a byproduct of the local furniture industry they use it to ship furniture). The tray is strong, can be easily adapted by cutting it, and can even be covered with contact paper to add color and allow it to be wiped clean. Total cost of the table was about $7.00 for the triwall and glue. Idea submitted by: Patrick, Center for Early Communication & Learning, Morganton, NC. For more information contact: mschepis@hci.net or phone: Cookie sheets and magnets give students with decreased motor skills the ability to participate in many writing tasks. Students can slide magnetic numbers into numerical order, sort by odd or even status, attempt greater than or less than problems or add, subtract or multiply in math class. In language arts, students can use alphabet magnets to participate in activities such as letter identification, matching upper and lowercase letters, or spelling tests. From: Project Participate, JFK Partners, University of Colorado Health Science Center 4200 E. 9th Ave., C268-20, Denver, CO 80262, Phone: Fax: info@projectparticipate.org To increase participation in cooperative play, convert a cookie sheet into an accessible board game. Adhere colorful electrician's tape to the sheet and create a grid for tic-tac-toe. Play the game using magnetic X's and O's or glue magnets to poker chips to create your own pieces. Add plastic loops to the poker chips to assist students with decreased fine motor skills. Adapt simple puzzles by attaching magnetic tape to individual pieces to help students slide pieces together. Idea from Project Participate, University of Colorado Health Science Center, 4200 E. 9th Avenue, C Denver, CO Phone: Fax: info@projectparticipate.org Do you have an idea that you d like to share with others? Submit your idea with a picture and description, we ll put it on our website as a part of our Ideas to Share. To submit your idea, or if you have any questions, send an to tanisha.dicks@jefferson.edu Please feel free to forward this newsletter to any individuals or agencies that may benefit from information on assistive technology. Questions? Comments? Want to have the newsletter sent directly to your inbox? Tanisha at tanisha.dicks@jefferson.edu