20 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday November 10, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com SMART Board changing learning environment By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Today's students can cruise the Internet, send instant messages to each other on cell phones with user manuals the size of phone books, and download the most popular songs often simultaneously. However, the most interactive technology in their classrooms is frequently the chalkboard. It's a disconnect that doesn't serve students well, say some teachers. "The kids that we're teaching are inundated with technology. They're connected," says Joan Badger, a Winnipeg teacher. Badger was in Oakville recently to take part in the first annual Ontario Technology in Education conference, held at Appleby College. The conference provided nearly 400 teachers with the opportunity to SMART: Nearly 400 teachers had an opportunity to learn about SMART Board, a new classroom technology learn more about SMART technologies, and how they can be used in the classroom. pictured above, at a recent workshop at Appleby College. SMART, a private company based in Calgary, manufactures a product known as a SMART Board. It looks like a traditional write-on, wipe-off Offers end Sunday, November 19, 2006 white board that can be mounted at the front of a classroom in place of a blackboard. Once hooked up to a computer, however, the board works as both a large monitor displaying everything shown on the computer and an interactive medium allowing students to write or draw on it. Badger, who teaches Grade 6 stu® dents in Winnipeg, says the board Save $100-250. Steel or fibreglass entry doors. brings an incredible range of Save $100. Single entry door. resources into the classroom. Save $175. Single door with 1 sidelight. For example, she notes, her Save $250. Single door with 2 sidelights or classroom has a pull-down map that double door combination cost about $600 only a few years ago, but doesn't even have Nunavut on it. With the SMART board, she doesn't need a map. She can show her students Google Earth. However, it isn't just the resources the board brings into the classroom, but the interactivity it encourages that makes it so successful, says Chatham-area educator Ben Hazzard. He says students are excited by the board and want to touch it and Energy efficient low emissivity glass helps keep heat out during the summer and warmth in throughout the winter interact with it. Their desire to interact with the technology gets them interacting with the curricuprepayment of delivery lum. $ prepayment of taxes "The kids have their fingers on financing 'til 2009* prepayment installment fee the board," he explains. "It's no All installed longer just the teacher working on patio and the board, and that makes it a much When you use your Sears Card or Sears MasterCard® on installed garden doors richer learning environment. home improvements, you can choose... A wide assortment of "We know when kids are more *Pay in 26 equal monthly installments, interest free. On approved credit, when you use your Sears Card or Sears MasterCard. Minimum $200 styles and colours to interactive, they're more successful." purchase. This transaction will post to your account following the completion of installation ("Posting Date"). The first installment will appear on your first account statement produced after the "Posting Date" and will be due on the date set out in that statement: subsequent suit your needs Adds Badger, "You have a lot installments will be due on the dates set out in subsequent statements. The total purchase price, including $99 installment billing fee and all applicable taxes and charges will be billed in 26 equal installments. When billed, any unpaid portion of your Sears Card or Sears MasterCard more lightbulb moments with a account balance will attract credit charges, commencing on the billing date for such unpaid portion. Offer does not apply to Home Services. Ask for details. Payment options and plan details may be changed or discontinued at any time without notice. Ask about other payment SMART board. It's like a collective, options. Unless otherwise stated, optional financing programs do not qualify for Sears ClubTM Points or Colours Points. **Purchases made on `Oooohh.' Now they can see it." the Sears Card will receive Sears Club Points and purchases made on the Sears MasterCard will receive Colours Points when finance option is not chosen. Sears Club Points do not apply to taxes, installation charges (where applicable) or protection agreement charges. With its touch-and-drag interface, Hazzard says the technology is NE112H106 © 2006. Sears Canada Inc. simple and intuitive for both teachSears will arrange installation by qualified contractors. Offers do not apply to previously ers and students, and provides an signed contracts. Not valid in conjunction with any other discount or promotion. Not available in all markets innovative way to work with a variety of curriculum. The boards, which cost about $1,600 each, have been installed in schools across Canada, the United 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK. States, England and Australia. The Products and Services from the Company You Trust®. Calgary Board of Education recently CALL NOW, TOLL FREE, FOR A NO-OBLIGATION IN-HOME CUSTOM decided to install a board in each ESTIMATE. 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