Smartboards: Do They Have Brains?

With the growing popularity of the use of “Smartboards” in public schools, one can only wonder, why?

Do these boards give more detailed instruction than the teacher? No. Do they explain things in a language that students can understand? No. Are they like little portable audio textbooks that deliver information to students in a funky cool cartoon voice to engage their curiosity and make them more eager to learn? No. Can they be used to travel back in time and right the wrongs of various historical figures to make this, the world we live in, a more pleasant and peaceful place to exist in? No.

Well, what do they do?

“You can use a projector to project things on them.” said Martin Queeblesac, a teacher at Westwood Middle School in some little hick town in Oklahoma.

“Can’t you do that with a projector screen?” asked curious naysayer Devlin Croupe.

“But you can draw big circles on different things to draw students’ attention to specific details that are important with the Smartboard.” countered Queeblesac.

“But can’t you just stop for a second and use a laser pointer or something to do the same thing?” questioned Croupe.

“Well, yes. However, with a smart board you can do interactive games and things and have students actually walk up and write things on the smart board, which is certainly more impressive than just using it as a projector screen.” stated Queeblesac haughtily.

“Isn’t there a computer lab in your school you can visit to accomplish all the interactive stuff you want to do and a chalkboard/whiteboard in the classroom for them to write on?” Croupe slyly queried.

“Yes, but, it takes a lot of effort to get all the kids to line up and walk down the hall and back.” Queeblesac replied.

“So you are saying that Smartboards are worth, what like $1000, of taxpayer money just because you’re too lazy to walk down the hall?” demanded Croupe who by now is become very angry and red in the face.

“To state simply, they are much much more than $1000, and yes, they are worth every penny of taxpayer money. In fact, I think every schoolroom should have at least three per student just to prove the point.” Queeblesac smartly replied.

“You arrogant pig! I hope these boards drastically improve and their capabilities soon advance to the point that they make your job irrelevant and THEY teach the class!” screamed Croupe.

Okay, so, sorry for all the gibberish, but I enjoyed it. To answer simply, no, I don’t feel Smartboards are worth the money. Have a good break!