A smart board in every classroom in 2015! Version 1

A smart board in every classroom in 2015! Version 1

Many teachers are active on Facebook, we read our e-mail several times a day and we prepare our lessons on the computer by using information from the internet. But how is this in the classroom? The general use of computers and smart boards is still not common in the Swedish classrooms. Smart boards have been introduced in many schools during the last 10 years. But still are more than half of all the classrooms in Sweden not equipped with a smart board. In this series of 3 columns I will plead that every Swedish classroom has a smart board in 2015.  

A smart board is needed in every classroom. On many places we have the possibility to work with the internet and share the information. But not in many classrooms where the information is probably needed most. Most of the pupils are active computer and internet users. The computer is part of their life. The computer is part of the society. The pupils are used to computers and internet as a source of information and this is only becoming more important to them. At this time it is still not possible for many teachers to use the internet in the classroom in a smart way, in order to provide the pupils with necessary information. That is hard to believe.    

Besides the necessity for a teacher of having the possibility to provide the pupils with information, facilitates the smart board the teacher. It makes his job easier and more attractive. The pupils will continue asking questions. Answering and explaining is often much easier with the help of pictures/information from the internet and can be showed to the class at once. It is not longer necessary to make prints of certain pictures in the pause or at home. Moreover it is a great feeling for a teacher to have the possibility and the freedom to show the pupils the information which is needed for a better understanding.

If the smart boards are so important, why don’t we find them in any classroom yet? One reason is that smart boards are expensive. Fortunately they are becoming cheaper and cheaper. It’s true that the purchase of smart boards cost money so this has to get priority! Another reason of not having smart boards is that some, mostly older teachers, claim that the use of smart boards is too difficult. But the use of smart boards is not difficult at all! (anymore). More over offer the smart board companies a free introduction to the user of every new smart board.  

The smart board makes the use of the internet in the lessons a pleasure for the teacher. Smart boards have many more advantages which I, together some other misunderstandings about smart boards, will discuss in my column next month. All for at reach the goal: a smart board in every Swedish classroom in 2015. That makes school better and more fun for pupils and teachers.