Disadvantages of Using the SMART Board in the Classroom
SMART boards are interactive whiteboards which are becoming more commonplace in the modern classroom. SMART boards enrich learning by integrating technology into the classroom. Teachers can engage students by projecting information on the SMART board and interacting with it using a digital stylus. Even though SMART boards offer a lot of advantages to a classroom, there are limits to what a SMART board can accomplish.
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Glitches
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Where there is technology, there can be glitches. SMART boards require a computer, projector and the board itself to work properly. With three devices working simultaneously, glitches can occasionally happen. Teachers should always have an alternate plan in case something goes wrong with the SMART board so as not to appear unprepared and potentially lose control of the class. Cables might not connect properly, SMART board accessories may not always work and the SMART board may not always sync with the projecting computer.
Requirements
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Projectors not only need to sync with the SMART board, but there are limits as to how to position the projector in a classroom. Some classrooms have projectors wired and mounted to the ceilings. These projectors do not take up additional space in the classroom, but are difficult to adjust because they are not within easy reach. Projectors can also be positioned on a mobile cart, which makes them easy to adjust for the SMART board, but they take up extra space in the classroom that could otherwise be used for student desks.
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Board Mounting
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Most SMART boards are mounted to the blackboard. While this provides a stable location for the board and limits the amount of time required to adjust the projector, the mounted SMART board takes away from the blackboard surface area. Therefore, teachers will not have as much room to write on the board unless they opt to use the SMART board in conjunction with the blackboard during every lesson. Teachers often need all the blackboard space they can get and a SMART board can detract from this.
Technological Limits
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SMART boards offer to enhance lessons through technology, but some activities can be more easily accomplished without them. Since SMART boards require time to set up, they make it difficult to take quick notes or jot down spontaneous ideas. SMART boards cannot accomplish everything; they are limited based on the model version and what the current technology allows. While they make it convenient to save sets of class notes, the digitization of this material accumulates over time and can take up significant space on your hard drive.
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References
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