Why Smart Boards Are Not Making Classrooms Smart?

The concept of smart classrooms was ideated to resolve the problems occurring in the traditional learning system using technology. It paved the way to the involvement of real-time, digital-based learning systems, such as smartboards, mobile learning, student management software apps, and computer-based training.

The smartboard is one such invention that replaces the traditional blackboard to offer an interactive learning environment with virtual teaching methods. They create interactive, engaging, and positive learning culture in schools and institutes. Unlike traditional chalk and blackboard-based training, smartboards involve students throughout the sessions, enhancing their academic development. Besides, they also improve the ability of professors to train students.

However, while smartboards can be great for learning and training, they come with a lot of limitations, especially from the management and communication point of view.

Do Smart Boards Incorporate One-to-One Learning?

While interactive boards assist teachers to explain difficult concepts effectively, in a way that appeals to students, they don’t allow one-to-one interactions.

One of the latest and most effective learning approaches that have surfaced in recent years is digitally powered, one-on-one instruction and interaction via direct communication channels. Personal interactions provide an opportunity for shy and self-conscious students to learn, answer, and perform better. This type of approach, which is only possible through custom-made software applications connected with each student and their parents, allows teachers to create study materials based on individual students’ capabilities and interests.

Researches say that personalized interaction tremendously contributes to the social-emotional, physical and mental health of children.

Weaknesses of Smartboards

Pretty Expensive To Buy and Manage

Unless your institution is minting money, it can be difficult to invest in a comprehensive, advanced smartboard for each grade and its subdivisions. Then there is training cost, installation cost, troubleshoots and maintenance cost, internet cost, and other on-going expenses to manage the smart boards that you need to consider too.

Take A Lot Of Time And Effort

The design and preparation for each course and lesson require a lot of time in terms of research, evaluation, interpretation, preparation, and projection. The teachers also have to work with software programs in order to apply smart board features. So, this may take a lot of valuable time.

Teachers' lack of Software Knowledge is another problem

Training and learning should be simple for teachers. Teachers who aren’t adept with whiteboard technology and who haven’t gone through enough training may find the smartboard usage complicated. This may lead to frustration, reduced morale, embarrassment, and incapability to use smartboards to its full potential.

Not Meant For All Students

Younger students may find it difficult to reach the top portion of the smart boards. And poor lighting conditions can cause problems for the students sitting afar in viewing the content clearly. For instance, sunlight falling on the board may blur the images, diagrams, and fonts. Furthermore, in case of a power outage, the students and teachers may lose accessibility for a while.

Other Cons of Smartboards

- Failure in touch sensitivity may interrupt learning.

- Not-so-loud-enough speakers may disrupt students’ concentration and communication.

- Disabled smart boards may cause data distortion (jumbled information acquired from multiple sources).

- Staring at the smartboard all day long can cause eye fatigue in children.

While the interactive smartboards are one of the top technological tools used in teaching and training, many prominent and affordable smart-class options have gained attention in the recent years to improve learning and student management (e.g. customized learning app).

For instance, customized learning apps offer numerous benefits to students, such as they effectively eliminate the brick-and-mortar learning system and offer an ‘on-the-go’, ‘anywhere-anytime’ training and learning opportunity. Institutions can explore the power of such smart-class options to provide quality education, similar to that of smartboards, but at a much reasonable price.

About the Author

Mr. Pankaj Agarwal is the Founder & CEO at TagHive, a Samsung Ventures funded company based in South Korea and with operations in India. Mr. Agarwal is an inventor on over 50 international patents and was selected as one of the Top 10 Innovators in India in 2017 by MIT Technology Review and Mint. He is also a trained magician and is fluent in Korean. He has a Bachelor of Technology degree in EE from IIT Kanpur, MS from Seoul National University and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

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