Should Teachers Use Smart Boards in the Classroom?

Teachers are increasingly welcoming different technologies into their classrooms. For example, when Hart Research surveyed 1,755 teachers on behalf of the American Federation of Teachers in 2023, it found that 73% of them had used interactive whiteboards in their work. These tools, including smart boards, are helping teachers find new ways to enhance instruction.

Using smart boards in the classroom has the potential to aid in the transfer of information and strengthen teachers’ ability to educate students. As with every emerging technology, however, it’s important to know how to get the most out of them—and the potential pitfalls. With the right pedagogical background , teachers can learn how to effectively use smart boards in schools to help their students thrive.

How Are Smart Boards Used in Classrooms?

A smart board is a large display screen with software that enables a wide variety of interactive features. While those features can vary across different brands, many smart boards enable teachers to:

• Display content, such as videos, graphics, or other media, while teaching
• Access content from the internet, cameras, or phones and blend it into lessons
• Interact with students who are using other devices, such as laptops or tablets
• Teach from remote locations or teach students who are in remote locations
• Take advantage of built-in virtual tools, such as protractors or rulers
• Use a finger or stylus to write or draw on the board

The range of ways in which teachers can use smart boards in the classroom is extensive. For example, teachers can:

• Show videos that take students on virtual field trips to historical locations
• Engage students in learning games (for example, have students compete to solve a math problem first)
• Administer and grade quizzes and tests in real time
• Use digital templates (for example, a digital musical staff or digital graph paper) to aid in instruction
• Take a digital class poll
• Pair students’ laptops to smart boards to give presentations
• Record and share lessons electronically with other teachers

Pros and Cons of Smart Boards in the Classroom

While classroom smart boards offer many potential advantages, teachers should be aware of the potential drawbacks.

Advantages of Classrooms That Feature Smart Boards

Using a smart board in instruction has the potential to do the following:

• Elevate student engagement. Smart boards encourage student interaction and can capture students’ attention.
• Address different learning styles. For example, smart board features can work whether students learn best in a hands-on environment, are visual learners, or are auditory learners.
• Provide teachers with feedback in real time. The interactive features of smart boards enable teachers to receive feedback from students as lessons are underway, allowing teachers to clarify and adjust instruction as necessary.
• Improve the efficiency of instruction. The ability to perform multiple tasks on a smart board frees teachers from having to move among different physical tools, such as chalkboards or overhead projectors.
• Strengthen instruction on complex topics. Integrating different forms of content into instruction using a smart board has the potential to improve instruction on complex topics and strengthen students’ ability to comprehend complicated subjects.

Disadvantages of Classrooms That Feature Smart Boards

Being aware of the potential drawbacks of using smart boards in education is also important. For example, smart boards can do the following:

• Distract students. When using smart board features, such as multitasking and integrating digital content, teachers need to be cautious not to overload students’ cognitive load.
• Offer students too much screen time. The amount of time students spend looking at screens is a perennial concern, and teachers should consider that when incorporating smart boards into lesson plans.
• Be expensive. The cost of smart boards obviously exceeds the cost of old-fashioned chalkboards and whiteboards, so teachers and schools need to identify the specific smart board features they need and find smart boards that are within their budgets.
• Interrupt instruction due to technical glitches. Teachers need to receive training on the technical aspects of using smart boards. Schools also need staff with the technical knowledge to configure and maintain the devices to minimize technical problems that could disrupt learning.
• Lead to frustration among teachers. Administrators or school districts that implement smart boards in classrooms need to make related expectations and policies clear to teachers. Simply installing a smart board in a classroom without clear expectations may not be helpful in encouraging a teacher to use the smart board in the best ways.

4 Technology Skills for Teachers

As the role of educational technology, such as smart boards in education, continues to expand, it’s crucial for teachers to develop and maintain their technology skills. Below are examples of technology skills that help teachers excel.

1. Digital Literacy

Digital literacy—overall knowledge of how to operate digital tools and devices—is vital for today’s teachers. This knowledge can enable them to use technology in instruction and teach their students to be competent and responsible users of technology.

2. Integrating Technology Into Instruction

Along with an understanding of how to use educational technology, knowing how to blend that technology into instruction is equally critical. Successfully weaving technology into learning can promote deeper understanding of material and expand teachers’ ability to draw students into lessons.

3. Online Instruction

The COVID-19 pandemic gave many teachers a crash course in online instruction, but teachers need to continue to enhance their skills in online learning and remain up to date on using technology for remote instruction.

4. Ability to Use Specific Educational Software and Applications

Educational software and applications are ubiquitous, and the more familiar teachers are with specific tools, the better they can enhance teaching and learning. Pre-K teachers can look into the many educational applications for toddlers , while high school teachers can research software that helps in classroom management or student assessment.

Integrating Smart Boards into Instruction Can Enhance Learning

Smart boards can enable teachers to use the power of technology to improve education, and introducing smart boards into the classroom can benefit both students and educators.

Individuals who are interested in advancing their expertise in education and associated technology should consider Wilson College Online’s Master of Education degree program to learn how it can help them achieve their goals. Featuring self-paced learning and the opportunity to acquire cutting-edge skills, the program can establish a foundation for career advancement in education. 

Take the next step in your education career today with Wilson College Online.

Recommended Readings

A Look Inside the Modern Classroom

Master of Teaching vs. Master of Education: What’s the Difference?

What Can You Do With a Master’s in Education?

Sources:

American Federation of Teachers, “Surveys of Teachers and Parents on Educational Technology”

ChildcareDesign.com, “Should You Use Smartboards in Your Classrooms?”

Education Corner, “35 of the Best Educational Apps for Teachers (Updated 2024)”

Education Sciences, “A Survey of Smart Classroom Literature”

IDream Education, “How to Use Smart Board in the Classroom: Enhancing Education”

Indeed, 5 Reasons Digital Literacy Is Important for Educators

National Education Association, “Beyond the Checklist: What Does Good Teaching Look Like?”

Samsung, “8 Ways to Use an Interactive Whiteboard in the Classroom”

Samsung, “What Are the Advantages of Smart Boards in the Classroom?”

ShareTheBoard, “Teachers, Students and Digital Whiteboards”

Teal, What Skills Does a Teacher Need?

TechTarget, “Interactive Whiteboard”