SmartBoard Basics : March 2014

Welcome to the SmartBoard Basics Tutorial!

The goal and purpose of this tutorial is to explain the basic uses of the SmartBoard and reduce the intimidation factor that many teachers feel when approaching the SmartBoard. The tutorial will go over basic functions such as how to turn on and calibrate the SmartBoard, how to utilize the pen functions, and how to access the SmartExchange site to download lesson plans to adapt and use in the classroom. The tutorial should take no longer than an hour to complete.

Please feel free to post questions, comments, or lesson ideas in the "comments" sections underneath each of the tasks within the tutorial!

Tutorial Tasks and Objectives

Tutorial Objectives/Tasks: Each "task" of this tutorial is associated with a different objective. Once you've completed the task with accuracy, you've met the objective for the task. There will also be assessments for each task located on the task's page. Please complete this assessment to check your understanding of the tutorial.

•Objective #1 for Task #1- At the end of the tutorial, teachers will be able to connect the SmartBoard to their computer and calibrate the SmartBoard with 100% accuracy.

•Objective #2 for Task #2- At the end of the tutorial, teachers will be able to utilize the pen functions of the SmartBoard with 100% accuracy.

•Objective #3 for Task #3- At the end of the tutorial, teachers will demonstrate how to access the SmartExchange and search lessons appertaining to their content with 95% accuracy.

Task #1

Task #1- Learning How to Connect and Calibrate the SmartBoard

This task meets objective #1- At the end of the tutorial, teachers will be able to turn on and calibrate the SmartBoard with 100% accuracy.

Review the following steps to connecting and calibrating the SmartBoard. As you are reading the text, review the image beneath it. Once you've read through the text and looked at the images, please watch the brief video at the bottom of the page to confirm the information you've just read.

Steps to Connecting Your Computer to the SmartBoard

1. Connect the SmartBoard to your computer with the cord provided

2. Turn on the flat panel display by pushing the power button to the left of the pen tray and then turn on your computer. The interactive display frame draws its power from your computer and activates automatically.

Steps to Calibrating the SmartBoard

1. Click the “SmartBoard Tools” icon and select “Control Panel”

2. Select “Connection Wizard”

3. Click “Calibrate” button. Do not touch the screen

Until instructed to do so.

4. Begin to calibrate by using your finger to touch the spot illuminated in the upper left hand corner. When the illumination changes from white to green, you may move on to the next spot. You will complete this process a total of 6 times to effectively calibrate the screen.

Assessments

Please take a few minutes to complete the assessment questions for this objective. Click here to take survey and answer the questions completely. Thank you for your time.

Task #2

Task #2- Learning How to Utilize the Pen Function

This task meets objective #2- At the end of the tutorial, teachers will be able to utilize the pen functions of the SmartBoard with 100% accuracy.

Review the following steps to utilizing the pen function of the SmartBoard. As you are reading the text, review the image beneath it. Once you've read through the text and looked at the images, please watch the brief video at the bottom of the page to confirm the information you've just read.

Steps to Utilizing the Pen Function of the SmartBoard

1. Pick up one of the four pens (blue, black, green and red) DO NOT USE A TRADITIONAL WHITEBOARD MARKER.

2. Pens must return to their color-coded areas in order to write the color they signify.

3. Write on the touchscreen part of the SmartBoard. The pen will not work in the frame.

4. To erase writing on the SmartBoard, pick up the eraser from the pen tray and erase.

5. To erase a large area of text, draw a circle around the text and tap the erasure inside of the circle.

6. To save a note you’ve taken on the SmartBoard or to take a screen shot, pick up a pen tool from the pen tray. The Digital Ink Layer border will appear on your screen. To save what you write on the board when this layer is in place, press the “Screen Capture” button (the camera) in the top right-hand corner of the border. An image of the screen, including your writing, will be saved.

7. Keep in mind that your finger is your mouse. You can use your finger to go back a page if you are working on the internet or open a new document if you are using PowerPoint or Word.

Assessments

Please take a few minutes to complete the assessment questions for this objective. Click here to take survey and answer the questions completely. Thank you for your time.

Task #3

Task #3- Accessing the SmartExchange Database

This task meets objective #3- At the end of the tutorial, teachers will demonstrate how to access the SmartExchange and search lessons appertaining to their content with 95% accuracy.

Review the following steps to accessing the SmartExchange Database of lesson plans appropriate for the SmartBoard. As you are reading the text, review the image beneath it. Once you've read through the text and looked at the images, please watch the brief video at the bottom of the page to confirm the information you've just read.

How to Access the Smart Exchange Site

1. First, enter the following link into your browser’s search bar (http://exchange.smarttech.com)

2. Next, you must create an account. Creating an account is simple and free. Select “join for Free” in the upper right hand corner.

3. Enter the information required. When responding to “What SmartTech product do you use?” Select SmartBoard Interactive Whiteboard

4. Once you’ve completed these steps you have registered an account. From this point forward, you only need to “sign in” when returning to the site.

Steps to Finding Lesson Plans: there are two ways to access lesson plans from the SmartExchange site, by typing in a specific lesson or by browsing by subject.

How to Search Specific Lessons

1. In the “Search All Resources” space, type in the content you wish to search for. This could be anything from a specific lesson (how to correctly use semicolons) or an image (Abe Lincoln).

2. Click the blue magnifying glass and review the findings of the search. You may need to refine the search if it does not yield the results you are looking for.

3. Once you find the lesson or image that you want to use, click the green “download” key beneath the lesson.

4. This will save the lesson to your Smart Exchange index for you to edit/use

How to Browse by Subject

1. Under the heading “Browse By”, select the content area you want to search

2. Once the next page comes up, you can refine your search by grade level in the upper left hand corner