SMARTboards+in+the+classroom

SMARTboards ( a brand of interactive whiteboards) are great for whole class work. Students with special needs benefit greatly from interactive technology because it allows them to work with their classmates and receive assistance from them when they need help. There is also a SMARTboard Notebook program that allows students to work individually with SMARTboard technology. The following table shows the different ways SMARTboards can help students with special needs.

(difficulty organizing and relating concepts) || **Concept-map software** -- teachers can upload a concept map on the SMARTboard. This will allow the students to see the ideas and thoughts in an organized way. Students can even go up to the board in insert ideas on the concept-map themselves. (i.e. Inspiration Program) || (writing clearly and communicating thoughts through writing) || **Word Processing Software** -- teachers can open a word document on the SMARTboard and type out notes and they will be posted on the large screen and will help students see the words on the screen and they can then transfer them to their paper. (i.e. Microsoft Word) || **Sound-field amplification systems** -- the SMARTboard has speakers attached in which the volume can be adjusted so that all students can hear it. (i.e. speakers) || Mouse keys **Onscreen keyboards** -- the SMARTboard has an onscreen keyboard that pops up and can be typed right there on the screen. ||
 * = ** Content Skills Area ** ||= **Special Need** ||= **Technology Solutions** ||
 * = **Organizing** ||= Processing difficulties
 * = **Writing** ||= Coordination difficulties
 * = **Reading** ||= Sight-impaired and/or learning disabled || **Electronic Text books** -- teachers can open an online textbook and highlight certain parts of the text, using the SMARTboard pens, so that students can see the important parts and write them down. ||
 * = **Communication** ||= Hearing-impaired || ** Personal amplification systems --** SMARTboard also offers a SMARTboard Notebook program in which each student can use their own computer and work with SMARTboard technology including the interactive activities that talk to the students. (i.e. headphones)
 * = **Computer use: input devices** ||= Physically impaired || Accessibility options
 * = **Computer use: output devices** ||= Sight-impaired || **Magnification software** -- fonts of the text on SMARTboards can be enlarged using any program, including Microsoft Word or other similar programs. ||