Reidy Park Public School were first introduced to SMART Boards after attending an introductory session conducted by a team from Canberra who used SMART Boards. Reidy Park PS decided that SMART Boards were the ideal option for them also, and so in late 2005 they purchased their first four SMART Boards. Over the course of the next two terms, the SMART Boards proved to be a worthwhile investment. So, at the start of 2006 Reidy Park them invested in another eight SMART Boards, and equipped all twelve SMART Boards with gyration suites.
Lesley Okholm, ICT co-ordinator of Reidy Park PS initiated the implementation of SMART Boards at Reidy Park, and conducted surveys following the SMART Board installations for teachers, students and parents to complete, assessing how interactive whiteboards are assisting teaching and learning at their school. Lesley has assisted in the management of a smooth transition ensuring that all areas of the school are being familiarised with the SMART Boards. “All areas of study are being catered for using IWB’s. In particular, our specialist music/drama teacher uses his board extensively in R-7, as does out LOTE Italian teacher,” says Leslie “The library IWB is used for library and information skills lessons, as well as for non IWB classes.”
As a result of surveys, Lesley has managed to obtain a large amount of information from teachers and students about how they are adapting to school life with SMART Boards. Reidy Park has observed a number of benefits since installing their SMART Boards. Lesley has received a number of comments from teachers regarding the improvements they have observed in the classroom.
“Student engagement has improved, it gives students a whole new way of presenting ‘old stuff’”
“Better organisation as it enhances visual strategies for class management”
“Ability to take students anywhere through the internet”
“Increase in ICT skills in teachers and students”
“Given students another way to demonstrate their learning”
“Whole class is able to see information, respond as a group, interact, debate and do group work.”
“Instant ‘wow’ factor”
“Easy preparation of teaching resources”
The students and parents are also highly impressed by the installation of the SMART Boards. During the recent survey, they mentioned the changes they noticed as a result of the SMART Boards.
“My child is very involved and motivated in preparing things for weekly news sharing. It is good for him to be learning new skills and enjoying it so much”
“My child is always wanting to show me on our home computer what they are doing in class”
“Integrates computer skills and learning into a whole class social activity whereas individual computer learning can be isolating.”
“A very positive effect, makes learning very exciting for them.”
“They are better equipped for the technology being used today.”
“They are still learning the same curriculum. IWB’s just make it more fun”
“If a teacher uses the IWB to its full advantage, it would be a very handy tool.”
Reidy Park has created a strong support group for their teachers also. Initially the school had a group of four teachers who supported each other while trialling the SMART Boards. Now, they have groups who are released from class half days to share and understand lessons. “After school T&D has been held on a fortnightly basis covering both skills and pedagogy with respect to IWB’s” says Lesley
“There is also a sense of collegiate sharing at anytime / anywhere, amongst the staff. Observation of others has been encouraged, and far more ‘drop in and watch’ occurs.” As well as this Reidy Park also ran a district wide conference day on a Saturday with presentations done by their staff, to promote sharing and observing in the local district. Reidy Park’s unique support network has encouraged staff to use their SMART Boards to their maximum potential, showing mass improvements in their students learning.
Lesley and her colleagues see the benefits of the SMART Boards and have worked hard to make sure that they achieve them. To the staff at Reidy Park, “SMART Boards are the way of the future. They are vital to the student’s future, and we should be preparing them for what’s coming up, not what has gone past.” This attitude to ICT teaching and learning has created an encouraging learning environment. “It’s the way of the world. We MUST embrace it. Students are using it anyway.”