Reflection #1: Nicole Meets the SMARTboard

What:

I nanny once a week on Tuesdays, right before our technology and education class. A few weeks ago, I had Nicole, the 7-year-old that I watch "try out" my SMARTboard lesson that I later presented to the class. It was fascinating just how enthralled she was in technology. I never would've guessed that in a split second she would be so interested in a simple lesson on the four seasons.

She was immediately interacting with the different activities and I really think she learned a lot about the seasons. I was also surprised at how little instruction she needed to understand how to use the program.

I also think that she felt very excited to "try out" my lesson before I showed it to the class.

So what?

This was very exciting because it was the first time I have been able to see a child interact with the SMARTboard. I have not been placed in a cooperative classroom yet and my elementary school did not have the SMARTboard. So, I was able to see first hand, the technological ability of an elementary age student. I finally do believe all of those articles :). This also gave me more confidence about presenting my project and also let me know what things I needed to "tweak" or change.

Now what?

Well, I hope to continue to learn to use the SMARTboard and to understand better how it works. I think that I may use Nicole as my "expert" to check out any future SMARTboard lessons that I may put together. I am interested to learn more about the SMARTboard and to see an entire classroom interact with the interesting new learning tool.

THANK YOU NICOLE :)!