The
Teq Summer SMART Board Academy is less than two months away (sessions start July 26) and courses are filling up quickly. So, it comes as no surprise that we have been fielding some great questions related to individual teacher’s existing
SMART Board knowledge and which course(s) would be most appropriate.
Folks are asking questions such as:
“I’m a beginner SB user, what classes would you recommend?”
“I teach Social Studies and I’ve been using my SB for about a two years, do you think the SB for elementary social studies, SB and Web 2.0, and Google Earth and SB would be of benefit to me?”
“We just received our SMART Doc Cam and Response clickers. Should, we take the SMART Peripherals course or the SMART Response & SMART Response LE course?”
“I’ve had a SB in my room for the past three years and I teach accelerated 8th grade mathematics. Would you recommend I take the Utilizing Math Software on the SMART Board?”
We hope the following will help you plan your summer academy experience.
This years Academy covers a wide range of topics and there is a little something for everyone. While there isn’t a specific class for new SB users there are classes we think you will benefit from and enjoy. So, here’s a breakdown of how our courses will align with your interests.
New SMART Board Users: All of our courses are hands-on, so you will be interacting with the SMART Board — getting more comfortable using the hardware and software. We recommend the following courses:
- How to Organize and Most Effectively Use Your Computer (for Teachers) is a great choice for those who are just receiving their SMART Board and still feel a little nervous around computers.
- Bells, Whistles, and Balance explores how to create well-designed SMART Notebook lessons and will provide a great review of the Notebook software.
- Mac & Me is a great choice for anyone looking to start using a SMART Board with a Mac.
For the best experience, we recommend beginners register for Teq Certification. This four-day course will cover everything from the connection of the SMART Board and basic use through planning and designing lessons.
More experienced SMART Board Users: All of our Subject-specific courses are perfect for those who have been using their SMART Board for a little while and want to learn how to integrate the SMART Board and SMART Notebook software into their daily lessons. And, since you are probably teaching the same concepts in class, you can use what you learn right away.
We would also recommend SMART Peripherals because this course will include other products to enhance the use of your SMART Board.
Créme de la créme SMART Board Users (just kidding): More advanced users who teach math will enjoy Utilizing Math Software on the SMART Board. The course gets into math-specific software and how to integrate them with your lessons. It will also cover the new Notebook Math Tools. Those who teach social studies should checkout Google Earth for SMART Boards. Experience using Notebook is recommended.
Our course on SMART Response will also benefit teachers already familiar with the SMART Board and SMART Notebook as it will cover how to create dynamic classroom assessments with sound, video, and Flash. SMART Boards and Web 2.0 explores online applications that can enhance existing lessons and foster more collaboration in the classroom.
Whether you are just starting to use your SMART Board or have a few years of experience, we have something for everyone in our Summer Academy. Don’t miss this opportunity to build your skills and improve your lessons for next year. Register online now!
