Last spring I felt a little like Tom Cruise in Minority Report. After 3 years of hearing about them the SmartBoards had finally arrived. This technology, though not new to our students, was novel to our staff. After two short, one-hour training sessions we were ready to go.
Then summer happened and with it, summer school. What was once a useful tool is now a kind of burden. My computer monitor doesn't work correctly and the SmartBoard is constantly wiggling itself out of alignment. I've spent hours these past few weeks creating slides for my lectures. Lectures ... hmmm.
The beginning of the school year is always non-traditional for me. I need to buy some time as our counseling staff switches students from this class to that and I don't like to do a lot of lecturing. As I await the start of Survivor Geometry, I'm getting a chance to play around with the cool interactive ruler and protractor. My initial attempt at using the compass was comical. However, after a short (very short) tutorial, I think I've got it down. I could use some lifts, however, to help me reach the toolbar at the top of the board. You see, I keep forgetting that I can move it to the bottom.
I feel like the ... uh ... SmartBoard is making me, well, less smart. As I talk over my shoulder, I imagine that my students hear only what sounds like Charlie Brown's teacher. I wish the big board came with a clipboard that transmitted images to it. That way I could look into all those bright cheery faces as I bore them to death. I'm not worried though. With a little research and creativity this could turn into quite an adventure. For now, I'll just keep playing around with my new teacher-toy.
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