Rationale for ordering smartboard for grade 3-5 music room

[Ann Woodling]

Our middle school uses garage band quite a bit and I would like to order a smart board for my music classroom to incorporate garage band in my lessons for 4th and 5th graders. I have all the 4th and 5th graders in the district. Any ideas to justify spending the money. Thanks.

[Michelle Baldwin]

I would definitely focus on the fact that a SMARTBoard (or other interactive whiteboard brand) can really facilitate and transform student-centered learning, as opposed to the traditional chalk/whiteboard. Especially if you get the portable tablets that can accompany most IWBs, students have more opportunities to participate, create, revise in GarageBand as a class or even small groups. Without the IWB, you're limited to the number of computers you have in the classroom, as well as time to go around to all students to create and share.

In justifying the costs of IWB, it's really important to keep coming around to the "student-centered" and transformation issues. If the teacher is the only one using (and really benefiting) from the IWB, how is it any different than a chalk/whiteboard? It becomes a very costly substitute rather than a transforming tool.

[Laura]

I've found that having an IWB is the best way to get the entire class focused and centered on the same thing. Whether it's something one student is demonstrating or something we're collaborating on as a class, it's engaging to students and helps inspire deeper thinking. Good luck!

[Celeste Reed]

I use an interactive whiteboard in the music classroom grades 1-5. Our music text is also on cd so I can pull up music and students can highlight and move rhythms around. I've also used Finale with the Promethean Board. We've also used the student response system.

[Mary Kuterbach]

Like the other comments, I agree that the SmartBoard helps your class become more student centered. The interactive capabilities engage the whole class in learning. I use one for my k-8 general music classes. We have used it for everything from music theory games, simple composition, creating graphic representations, the list is endless. The SmartBoard is a tool that offers students another opportunity to be activly involved in the learning process. Good luck! I hope you get one.

[Fritz Benz]

Yes...a Smartboard essentially turns any web or software resource for 1 computer into an immediate resource for the class! Great for visual and kinesthetic learners and allows you as the teacher to take full advantage of the huge amount of resources on the web.