How to Use a Smartboard for Teaching History

Smartboards make history fun and engaging.

As Smartboards gain in popularity in the world of education, so does the desire to create fascinating, interactive lessons for students. With a Smartboard, history does not have to be a dull, unexciting subject with a profusion of lecturing and reading. Teachers can, in fact, use the Smartboard to construct a learning environment filled with interactive, fun instruction that keeps everyone engaged and intrigued. Smartboards can make learning history into an exciting event.

Things You'll Need

• Smartboard and Smartboard software
• Classroom
• Internet access
• Lesson plans and objective
• Computer

Instructions

1. 

   Maps and globes are interactive on the Smartboard.

   Create a lesson plan and schedule. Narrow down the focus of what you would like to teach regarding history. Create a working time line for the lesson's completion. Avoid limiting your creativity. Thinking outside of the box will add to the lesson's excitement and promote interaction among the students.

2. 

   Smartboards provide instant creativity.

   Find lesson activities that are compatible with the Smartboard. Use the Smart Exchange website to research and find exercises that align with your lesson's goals and objectives. Choose activities according to the learning ability of your students. Maps, time lines, reenactments and more are available for teaching history with the Smartboard.

3. Gather all necessary materials. Have all materials available at the start of the lesson to avoid breaks in instruction, as well as class disruptions. If students will need to use the materials, make sure they are easily accessible and organized.

4. Perform a trial run. Practice going through the activity prior to class instruction in order to become familiar with it. Use the Smartboard markers, connect the computer to the Smartboard, and perform any other tasks that are necessary to complete the activity. As students go through the activity, you will be able to answer any questions they may have.

5. Teach the lesson. Introduce students to the lesson's topic and the Smartboard exercise. Explain in detail how to use the Smartboard with the activity. If a touchpad is needed, explain how that will be incorporated as well. Follow the lesson plan and time line and assess the students' comprehension at the end of the lesson. Assessment can occur verbally or in written form. If you choose to assess students verbally, upon the lesson's conclusion simply ask questions pertaining to the lesson and gauge the correct responses received. To assess in written form, create an assessment that includes multiple choice, short answer or essay items using content from the completed activity. Your students' grades will be an indication of how well they comprehended the lesson and Smartboard activity.

References

• Smartboard Technology

Resources

• Smart Exchange for History Activities
• Various Smartboard Activities