Talking+Points

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 * Talking Points for Smart Board Project 2010**
 * Reasons to Use Smart Board – Student Perspective**
 * It is fun – how would you like to “go to the board” and write with a tennis ball?
 * Students can access more info than is found in a textbook
 * Interactive, touch technology that is similar to other technology in their world
 * Reasons to use Smart – Teacher Perspective**
 * Interactive tool which allows multi-sensory learning
 * SRS (Student Response System) allows immediate feedback as lesson is taking place. Students’ answers are confidential; they respond anonymously with a hand held “clicker”. Once a student chooses an answer, the system displays the number correct responses. This allows for immediate intervention. The teacher can also record the answers “behind the scenes” to monitor an individual student’s comprehension.
 * Allows integration of many disciplines in one lesson
 * Allows easy access to the “internet world” of information
 * Easy to use interface allows lesson plans to be pulled from previous plans, supplemented from internet sources (including Smart user groups at www.xxx,) other paper reference works (read with document reader) and student work. Same plans can be saved and reworked over time for continual improvement.
 * As lesson is being taught, instead of “erasing the board”, the work can be saved and brought up later for review with current students or a new lesson with future students. In addition, the lessons can be archived for use by subs or other teachers. It can also be accessed for students at home through a web-based interface. This is ideal if students who need further review, have been absent, or would like parent help. It is also useful for parents who were taught using a different method.
 * This project includes training with a teacher who has a Master in Education and a specialty in Gifted and Talented Studies. She is not a “techie” who has never logged any real classroom time.
 * Training will take many forms:
 * Each teacher will receive one full day of “Basic 1” training shortly after install and one full day of Basic 2 training a few months later. These will be a “lecture” style session with the aforementioned trainer.
 * In addition, 5 two hour user group sessions will be scheduled every two months following initial training. These will be facilitated by the trainer, but will be interactive sessions where teachers will bring their challenges and successes to share.
 * Smart also offers LMS – free, self-paced online learning modules. If desired, these can be logged with reports sent to the district of modules successfully completed
 * Smart offers free “webinars” that can be attended live or viewed after the event,
 * Each region has an educator who acts as a mentor. They meet bi-monthly with a Smart trainer. Access to the mentor help is free.
 * The Smart website offers many lesson plans in many areas. Anyone can access these plans. As teachers progress with the software, they are encouraged to create accounts and share their work. This “open source” approach leads to a plethora of unique tools. Smart offers various programs such as “Exemplary Educator Plan” to encourage the development of useful materials.


 * FAQ’s**
 * **What’s wrong with Interwrite? Why would we change? Did we make the wrong decision?**
 * Technology changes every minute – we move from Beta, to VHS, to DVD – to? (If you know, you’ll have enough money to be donating the next generation system). The Interwrite purchase was thoroughly researched X years ago. This product was deemed the most affordable solution for Anchorage. Basically it was a great buy at the time, but has been surpassed by a competitor.
 * At the time of purchase, Interwrite was a leader in the field. They had x% of the market. Essentially, their “product” was their software. However, since then, they have ceased developing their product. Think back to software of x years ago. Are you still using it? Their market share has dropped to less than 10% of the market. (Smart currently has 67% of the U.S. market and 64% of the International market.
 * Interwrite did not choose to bid on our current project.
 * We should change, because, using the data available today (that was not available at the time of the Interwrite purchase) Interwrite is not as inefficient to use and not as interactive as Smart technology.
 * In addition to developing software, Smart developed a community for teachers to share ideas, training, and plans. They market a teaching solution, not a projector system.
 * **What about all the money we spent? What will happen to that equipment?**
 * Technology costs money – and once it is spent it is gone. There is no dressing up that fact. That said, the Interwrite equipment is primarily projectors. These will be used where needed in the school. Many have been well used for x years.
 * Current equipment includes “Elmos” which are document readers that are compatible with the Smart Boards.
 * We are also looking into selling the equipment that cannot be repurposed. In particular, Smart will be giving us a quote on brokering it for us. There are schools in the region that are still using Interwrite and may be interested in the equipment. But, like any computer or car, it lost value the minute the deal was closed.
 * **Will the teacher be trained?**
 * There is no group more interested in that question than the teachers! Since the opening discussion on this project, they have insisted that training be a component of this purchase. First, keep in mind that this technology is extremely user friendly, and that a variety of training is offered to suit any learning style. Here are the ways this will happen:
 * Smart Company has leant Anchorage a Board for 90 days that is currently setup in Tim Sears room. He is learning the system and will share his experiences with others. Initial reports are that the students are extremely positive and excited about this system.
 * Each teacher will receive one full day of “Basic 1” training shortly after install and one full day of Basic 2 training a few months later. These will be a “lecture” style session with the aforementioned trainer.
 * In addition, 5 two hour user group sessions will be scheduled every two months following initial training. These will be facilitated by the trainer, but will be interactive sessions where teachers will bring their challenges and successes to share.
 * Smart also offers LMS – free, self-paced online learning modules. If desired, these can be logged with reports sent to the district of modules successfully completed
 * Smart offers free “webinars” that can be attended live or viewed after the event.
 * Each region has an educator who acts as a mentor. They meet bi-monthly with a Smart trainer. Access to the mentor help is free.
 * **Why are we trying to do the whole school? Why not just a grade level or two?**
 * If you are training staff, there is a great deal of value to training simultaneously. Teachers can share experiences and kids can benefit from consistent use of technology across the whole campus.
 * Every day people look at purchasing houses in Anchorage. In many cases, the school is a main consideration in their decision. And, when a teaching position opens, candidates evaluate whether we have the best tools for them to do their jobs. Smart is widely available in this region, yet we do not have it. We are not competitive in these two important arenas.
 * Buying for the whole school will help our kids as they move up grades at Anchorage and as they move on to high school
 * Need more here – any thoughts?
 * **Do the teachers all want this?** Insert letter from teachers here.
 * **Do the administrators support this?** Insert letter from Don and Keith here
 * **Who else has Smart technology? Will our kids see it when they go to high school?**
 * Jefferson County has adopted it as a standard and plans to have it implemented K-12 in the next 18 months
 * The Catholic Diocese (of Louisville?) has adopted Smart ; it is currently at Trinity and St. X
 * Oldham County is implementing it
 * Campbellsville School District is implementing
 * **Is this proven technology or “bleeding edge”?**
 * Smart put in their first board in 1991. (It is still in place.)
 * **Will it hold up with kids using it every day? What are the costs to run the system after the equipment is purchased?**
 * As stated above, the first board has been in use since 1991. The military has a board that is still working, even though it has a bullet hole in it (not that that is a model we are trying for!)
 * Maintenance consists of an annual wiping of the board with a damp cloth.
 * Smart did a thorough walk through of the school, taking each room’s idiosyncrasies into account. They assure us they will honor their bid and that there will be no “oops – missed that concrete wall” moments.
 * The system consists of two parts – a board and a projector. Both are sold separately. The bulb life is estimated to be 3000-4000 hours and the cost per bulb is currently $350. A school year has 1150 hours (is that # right?), so a bulb should (theoretically) last several years. The board comes with a 2 year warranty that can be extended to 5 years with registration. The projectors come with a two year warranty.
 * All maintenance can be done onsite by technicians from Smart.
 * The software upgrades are included in the cost of the equipment.
 * Access to lesson plans and user groups is free through web based interfaces
 * **Will materials supplemental to textbooks be available to use with this system?**
 * Smart is working with the following publishers to produce material for this system: (insert list from Deanna here)
 * **Where will the money come from?**
 * The cost of implementing Smart in K-8 core classrooms, the library, labs, and Essential Arts room is XXXXX. The APTA will commit X to the project. At this time, there is no money allocated in the budget for this project.