Assignment #2 - Smartboard Presentation

My Activity Make sure you have Flash downloaded and updated on your computer if you want to use this!
I thought this activity was really great if you want to teach geography, but also pull some current events into it. In light of the Olympics that are currently being held in Vancouver, I found this activity that applies to the geography of the Olympics, past, present and future (so it encorporates history as well). I've always been intrigued with the Olympics and this is a great way to get those students excited about learning and also a way to get those not previously interested in the Olympics to get excited about them as well!

Smartboard Features

• Interactive map activity (Hot Spot)
• Pen
• Pull-down Tab
• Matching Activity

Nets

for Students

• 1.d. identify trends and forecast possibilities.
• 2.a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.
• 6.a. understand and use technology systems.
• 6.b. select and use applications effectively and productively.

This activity meets standards because it helps students to visualize geography and use critical thinking for finding out why certain countries are able to host the Olympics and others are not. They do this while interacting with other students as they use technology to find the answers to geographic questions. The applications are used in an effective way to help solidify information.

for Teachers

• 1.b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
• 1.c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.
• 2.a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.

This activity definitely engages the students and discusses real world issues and events. It's a great way to pull in current events with geography. It incorporates digital tools to quiz the students and help visualize locations that are discussed.

The Interactive Whiteboard

The Interactive whiteboard is really an amazing tool for teachers once they master the ins-and-outs of manipulating it. Students will benefit from them because they are able to engage all of the multiple intelligences. You can have a huge variety of learners in one classroom and in one lesson can help each of them learn the same material in different ways. If I know that a few of my students are really struggling with learning something, I can use the Smartboard to taylor a lesson in a way that will help them learn (through music, visual, linguistic, etc.).

Even if a teacher uses a pre-made lesson, it is easy to change it to fit what you're trying to teach. You are never stuck with the original layout/lesson plan.