University of Oklahoma's K20 Center project standardizes on SMART Board interactive whiteboards
More than 40 schools statewide participate in high-tech learning program to improve student outcomes
CALGARY, Alberta --- March 30, 2005 --- SMART Technologies Inc. announces the standardization of SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards in more than 40 schools statewide through the University of Oklahoma's K20 Center for Educational and Community Renewal project. After evaluating various interactive whiteboard brands based on ease of use, functionality and integration with curriculum, the K20 Center chose the SMART Board interactive whiteboard for statewide integration. The K20 Center staff visits schools to provide pre-service and in-service teacher training on classroom technology, encouraging educators to engage today's digital generation and improve learning outcomes in Oklahoma schools. With technology grants from the SMARTer Kids™ Foundation (www.smarterkids.org) and the University of Oklahoma, the K20 Center is working with schools statewide to achieve its vision of equipping classrooms with SMART Board interactive whiteboards.
Participating schools use SMART Board interactive whiteboards every day as the primary instructional tool, integrated with the Internet, DVD players, document cameras, student response systems and more. The K20 Center departs from a traditional learning model and trains teachers based on an authentic learning model, encouraging students to use multimedia tools to explore topics, connect to real-world examples and share information with their community. For example, when studying the seven wonders of the ancient world, students use the SMART Board interactive whiteboard with animated atlases and online virtual tours to learn about artifacts, landmarks and cultures. The students present their research to the class on the interactive whiteboard and post their projects online.
In addition to its on-site professional development sessions, the K20 Center hosts quarterly videoconferences via the SMART Board interactive whiteboard, where participating teachers share best practices and collaborate on ideas for digital lesson delivery. To facilitate technology integration into curriculum, teachers also access the free digital teaching resources available on the EDCompass™ online community (www.edcompass.com).
"The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is a product that is truly integrated for education, hands-down," says Scott Charlson, technology coordinator and teacher trainer at the University of Oklahoma's K20 Center. "There is immense value in enabling tactile learners to touch the screen with their fingers and interact hands-on with lesson material. Teachers and students are embracing the technology and I know, without a doubt, it's making a difference in our schools."
"The age-old question that kids ask is 'Why do we need to know this?' Authentic learning is about connecting the real world to what you're teaching in the classroom. The SMART Board interactive whiteboard helps us expand lessons beyond the four walls of the classroom via the Internet," says Tracy Sritairat, technology director at Colbert Public School District, a K20 Center participant. "When our teachers use the SMART Board interactive whiteboard, every student is facing forward and raises his hand to answer a question. The teachers say it is making a difference; the kids are more involved in learning, they are paying more attention and they are doing better."
"School districts across the nation are placing strong emphasis on technology integration and professional development to ensure the effective use of technology in classrooms," says Nancy Knowlton, SMART's president and co-CEO. "The K20 Center has done an exemplary job of helping Oklahoma schools create interactive learning environments."
About SMART Board interactive whiteboards
The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is a large, touch-sensitive display. Connected to a computer and projector, the interactive whiteboard is like a giant computer screen that students and teachers simply touch to operate. Using their finger or a pen as a mouse, teachers and students can access and control any computer application, file or multimedia platform, including the Internet, CD-ROMs and DVDs. They can also write over applications in digital ink, then save their work for future study and review. The SMART Board interactive whiteboard engages students with diverse learning styles by providing both immediate access to a wide range of digital materials and a common focus for the entire class - not something easily achieved with other technologies. It is the number one choice among primary and secondary school educators in more than 75 countries worldwide because the pioneering software interface captures the imagination of students of all backgrounds and abilities in order to help them learn together, understand better and achieve more. For more information, visit www.smarttech.com/smartboard.
About the University of Oklahoma's K20 Center
The K20 Center is an interdisciplinary, university-wide center at the University of Oklahoma with a focus on educational and community renewal. The K20 Center brings together teachers, administrators, students, parents, school board members, community members, business leaders, information technologists, and university faculty and students. The center enables these stakeholders to share ideas, observe best practices, identify and analyze problems, and develop strategies to improve teaching, learning and community life. The technology being deployed in the state of Oklahoma is funded through the Oklahoma Education Technology Trust (OETT). Colbert's grant is the second in a three-year, $5.25 million granting initiative by OETT, focusing on improving student achievement, integrating technology and leadership. The grants are statewide and represent all school levels and configurations from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. For more information, visit www.k20center.org.
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