Greer Wilson, a first-grader at Memorial Park Elementary School, takes part in a class competition utilizing a Smart Board, which are now installed in every classroom at the Jasper school. Watching the 6-year-old is her teacher, Meagan Fields. Photo by: David Lazenby
Each classroom now has its own SMART Board interactive whiteboard, according to Memorial Park principal Anne Jackson.
The devices, which are becoming increasingly popular with educators, utilize a projector to display a computer’s video output on the interactive whiteboard, which uses touch detection technology that allows it to be used as a large touch screen.
On Wednesday, Meagan Fields’ first-graders were using the classroom SMART Board to play a game that tested the students’ knowledge of classroom rules and school officials.
Jackson said with the smart Boards in place, Memorial Park is “truly a 21st century school.”
A fundraiser that students and teachers took part in the spring helped the school raise the money needed to buy the interactive whiteboards.
Prior to the start of the school year, the school had 12 Smart Boards already being used.
Over the summer, 12 more interactive whiteboards were installed so teachers could begin becoming proficient with the technology before students returned.
Eventually Jackson said she hopes to get the SMART Boards in the school’s library and computer lab.