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Monroe #1 Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES)
Fairport, NY, United States
Converting technophobes to tech-enthusiasts |
Converting technophobes to tech-enthusiasts, Instructional Technology Specialist Bonnie Nizamis enjoys training teachers to use high-tech learning tools in the classroom. At Monroe #1 Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New York State, Bonnie uses interactive technology to inspire teachers to spice up lessons across 10 school districts.
When she saw the SMART Board interactive whiteboard at a tradeshow Nizamis knew right away that it was the perfect tool for her classes. With the interactive whiteboard, she wouldn’t need to go back to her computer to operate programs during classes. She could control programs from the front of the classroom using the touch-sensitive whiteboard.
That first look was enough. With the help of a SMARTer Kids Grant, BOCES purchased a SMART Board interactive whiteboard for Bonnie’s classroom.
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"Teachers like the fact that they can stand at the front of the room and simply touch the screen to move to the next slide. They aren’t anchored to a computer. "
– Bonnie Nizamis, Instructional Technology Specialist
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Training the teachers
Later, when BOCES also integrated SMART Board interactive whiteboards into some K–12 schools, Bonnie jumped at the opportunity to help teachers optimize their use of the new technology.
Bonnie’s enthusiasm was soon mirrored in her students. Once teachers learned how to create lesson plan slides with Microsoft PowerPoint software and the interactive whiteboard, they were eager to incorporate the technology into daily classroom activities.
“Teachers like the fact that they can stand at the front of the room and simply touch the screen to move to the next slide,” says Bonnie. “They aren’t anchored to a computer.”
Using the interactive whiteboard, she shows teachers how to teach computer applications by using technology in fun and interactive ways. Bonnie incorporates game-show-inspired learning activities such as Jeopardy! into her classes.
The touch-sensitive interactive whiteboard saves Bonnie time because she can write notes over computer applications, save them in a file and deliver the notes electronically to all of her students. The interactive whiteboard also facilitates lesson planning.
“I can save the file so that if I’m teaching a second class, I still have those notes from the first class right there,” she explains.
Grant funds make a difference
“All teachers wish they had a SMART Board interactive whiteboard in their rooms because it makes teaching easier,” says Bonnie. She encourages teachers to apply for a SMARTer Kids Foundation grant to help them purchase SMART products. “It makes learning come alive,” explains Bonnie.