High-tech 'chalkboards' a hit with teacher, students

The days of students grabbing some chalk and heading up to the blackboard for some work in front of the class are fading away.

New high-tech "chalkboards," called Smart Boards, are now being used in area school districts to help keep the students more engaged in the lessons being taught.

At Barrington Area Unit District 220, Smart Boards are being used at all grade levels throughout the district. Their use is increasing at schools in Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 and Northwest Suburban High School District 214, officials said.

Using a computer and projector, the interactive whiteboards can display images from the computer and allows teachers to write notes directly on the board in digital ink.

"My teachers really love it," said Deborah Cross, principal at North Barrington School. "It really has enhanced instruction for our students."

Barrington High School French teacher Erica Christian said she uses the Smart Boards daily in her lessons.

She recently has been using the Smart Boards to help students with their vocabulary.

With the English words on one side and their French translations on the other, Christian said she can hide the translations until after a student gives the correct answer.

"It's like the text appears out of nowhere," Christian said.

Another benefit of the electronic whiteboard is that what is written by hand can automatically be downloaded to a computer, saved and used later as notes or handouts.

"It allows students to have access to the classroom notes without having to rely on another student," Christian said. "It definitely enhances my ability to communicate."

North Barrington School, which recently had numerous Smart Boards donated from its PTO, recently held a special open house to introduce parents to the new technology.

"It was very eye-opening to many parents," Cross said.

After seeing the Smart Boards in action, everyone comes away impressed, said Ben Grey, the district's instructional technology coordinator.

"It really changes the way you teach," Grey said. "Anyone I know who sees a demonstration walks away saying, 'Wow, that's amazing.' "

Currently, the Smart Boards are used at the high school, both middle schools and a handful of elementary schools.

The goal, Grey said, is to ensure all schools in the district have access to the new technology.