How to Teach Biology With SmartBoards
SmartBoards allow for enhanced interaction between teachers and students compared to traditional chalkboard-and-eraser classroom teaching. A SmartBoard works in tandem with a computer and projector. The SmartBoard has an oversized monitor in place of a classroom board that reflects content and images on your computer with the help of the projector. You can make biology lessons come alive onscreen and make teaching more interactive with SmartBoards. Handling a SmartBoard is not difficult. If you have basic computer skills, you can use a SmartBoard.
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Things You'll Need
- SmartBoard computer
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Excel
Instructions
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Prepare your everyday biology lessons for the class as usual. Instead of your chalkboard, you will now have an interactive whiteboard that will reflect whatever you have on your computer screen. A live screen is more appealing to students than the regular static board and increases student engagement.
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Use special SmartBoard pen markers to draw, or emphasize content of importance. Use the special erasers to clear unwanted content.
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Make lessons more interesting by including relative web resources for your biology lesson. For example, if your lesson explains parts of a plant, include web resources simultaneously for every step while teaching. SmartBoard allows you to access resources on your computer through the whiteboard. Your finger serves as mouse on the whiteboard. Open an internet browser such as Internet Explorer by clicking the icon on your whiteboard using your finger. Type the name of the required website by using the on-screen keyboard. Open the website to give a visual explanation for your lesson. (See Reference 4)
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Prepare PowerPoint presentations to teach topics such as animal dissections, human anatomy and cell biology. Explain lessons slide-by-slide. Use animations wherever necessary for better understanding.
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Save important information or student doubts on the whiteboard for later reference using screen capture options. You can save your information and images in Word, Excel or Powerpoint documents.
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Encourage students to present their biology assignments through Powerpoint presentations and promote peer discussions using SmartBoards. This method of teaching helps students retain lessons in their memory.
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Use SmartBoards to prepare students for exams. Prepare questionnaires and quizzes and have them displayed on the whiteboard to engage students.
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Set your SmartBoard up at the front of the classroom, and give your students a new learning experience.
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Tips & Warnings
Your students may be familiar with SmartBoards. Encouraging them to use the technology often in class is a good way for you to learn tips and tricks from them.
Ensure Internet connection is active if you are going to use web resources for your lesson.
