Essay 1

Smart boards

The invention that changed so much in the education methods nowadays is the SMART board, the SMART board is a reactive whiteboard produced by SMART Technologies and if’s found in our classrooms, lecture halls, group meetings and presentations across the globe. Like all the other devices we know, it went through several developments and stages before it was finally invented. However, people are going after more developments and diving so deeply inside the ocean of technology since it became so important to us; almost like the air we breathe!!

Long time ago chalkboards were the main technique used to explain the lessons in schools. “A blackboard (UK English) or chalkboard (US English) is a reusable writing surface on which text or drawings are made with sticks of calcium sulfate or calcium carbonate, known, when used for this purpose, as chalk”( Blackboard – Wikipedia .2013). Also, you wouldn’t imagine the huge change it brought to the world and specially to the education field back then, because it saved so much of the teacher’s time and energy, since the teacher was finally able to explain the lessons easily to the entire class at once instead of writing the problems and the lessons to each student separately in the class. In addition, chalkboards were so useful due to the fact that it doesn’t require any special care, it’s easier in drawing and it’s so cheap comparing with the modern white board and the new SMART board. On the other hand chalk produces dust, which is thought to be uncomfortable or may be allergic to some people and it would also harm dust-sensitive equipment such as computers.

 As technology progressed, white boards were invented. In addition, a white board is a plain plastic surface that could be written or drawn on with specific markers and then erased easily, and it also took the chalkboards place. Moreover, whiteboards became so famous and popular across the world in the mid-1990s. Consequently, they have become necessary and commonly found in meeting rooms, school classrooms and offices. Furthermore, the Korean war vet and photographer Heit invented the first whiteboard in the 1950’s when he discovered that the surface of film negatives could be written on with sharpie pen while working with film negatives. Also, white boards are highly important since they are considered to be perfect projecting platform for a video or overhead projector and the markers are easier to hold than a piece of chalk. However, we are facing some issues with the white board such as the fact it’s ugly and permanent, the odor smell from markers and if the wrong ink is used it can be impossible to remove!

Nowadays, the common whiteboard in our classrooms is being replaced or in other words updated by a newer version of this invention, which is the smart board. In fact, SMART Technologies is the company that created the SMART Board, by the hard working of David Martin and Nancy Knowlton who produced the first SMART board to the world in 1991. Furthermore, “it was the first interactive whiteboard to provide touch control of computer applications and annotation over standard Microsoft Windows applications” (Smart Board - Wikipedia. 2013). In addition, SMART boards are now being used through the tray that holds the digital pens; it has two functional mouse buttons, allowing the user to perform common functions. As well as, SMART boards are absolutely great inventions because you can open the world up for your audience; it’s large and really grabs the audience attention so they can stay focused. Nevertheless, the SMART board system is heir to the same problems that computer and projector setups have and it’s a very expensive device. However, we predict in the future people who are using the SMART Boards we know now by the touch control are going to command through visual attention or spoken commands instead. Although, the idea of inventing devices with this high technology might seem impossible and unbelievable, someday and somehow it might become a reality.

To sum up, the smart board is a great invention as an education device. It’s the technology generation, that’s why smart boards would interest the students, grap their attention and help the teachers explaining the lesson easier and more professional. However, science wouldn’t stop here! People are going to keep working, exploring and developing till they invent something newer and better.

References

      Archer, B. (2013, January 1). What Is a Smartboard?. wiseGEEK: clear answers for common questions. Retrieved April 29, 2013, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-smartboard.htm

     Blackboard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2013, March 23). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved April 30, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalkboard

      Christine, C. (2009, June 29). SMART Boards / History. SMART Boards / FrontPage. Retrieved April 22, 2013, from http://cwolgemuth.pbworks.com/w/page/6370880/History

      Fowlkes, K. (2013, January 9). Ezproxy Login. Ezproxy Login. Retrieved April 25, 2013, from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.hct.ac.ae/science/docview/1268092885/13DA579DB36669D17C1/11?accountid=1215

      Mithra, S. (2013, January 1). What Is the History of the Chalkboard?. wiseGEEK: clear answers for common questions. Retrieved April 29, 2013, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-history-of-the-chalkboard.htm

      Smart Board - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2013, April 9). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved April 22, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_Board

      Springgay, J. (2013, January 1). What Is the History of the SMART Board? | eHow.com. eHow | How to Videos, Articles & More - Discover the expert in you. | eHow.com. Retrieved April 22, 2013, from http://www.ehow.com/facts_4915092_what-history-smart-board.htm

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