Using SMART Table Technology for the Interactive Elementary Classroom

Introduction

Technology has brought changes to various fields and sectors across the globe. One area that has been significantly influenced by technology is the educational sector. There are many different types of technologies being used to support and enhance learning, which include both hardware and software. Hardware include those tangible objects such as interactive whiteboard, smart table, mobile phone, wearable device, smart device, sensors which using ubiquitous computing, cloud computing, ambient intelligence, IoT technology, etc. Software include all kinds of learning systems, learning tools, online resources, educational games which use social networking, learning analytics, visualization, virtual reality, etc. A SMART Table combines the functionality of interactive board, computer, and projector into a single system (Giles & Shaw, 2011; TL Editors, 2013). The SMART Table is used to enhance learning and encourage interactive participation from all students.

There are mixed findings regarding using technology in the classroom, on one hand, researchers have questioned the potential of technology to enhance the effectiveness of the learning process. Some educators see technology in the classroom as a harmful thing. They argue that young children would become dependent on technology to learn and would lose their ability to relate to others. On the other hand, scholars have suggested that technology complements education making instruction fun and easier to understand for students (Harris and Park, 2008). Today new technologies have emerged in the market, allowing the academic arena to integrate the newly developed devices to facilitate the learning of all students. Video games is one of the biggest markets out there for children, however, there has been so much controversy over video games. Many educators feel that video games are a waste of time and promote negative concerns. However, if we could combine education and gaming, a lot of the controversy could be eliminated. Playing video games, gets kids more involved and create an environment where learning and play work together. Studies show that when a participant receives a task that is presented playfully, they are more involved and spend more time on the task.

In academics, new product development can manifest in the form of bringing changes in the manner in which teachers and students interact, how classroom lessons are delivered and students acquire knowledge. In order to create valuable educational applications, developers must target things that children invest a lot of their time in. For example, gaming is a big market in modern society. We have slowly graduated from the traditional methods of education such as textbooks and chalk boards to having hand-held computer devices in our classrooms. Even virtual reality environments are now being incorporated into education sector (Oigara, 2018). The recent introduction of SMART Table technology has initiated interest of both scholars and educators to identify the benefits the device offers for students and teachers.

The SMART Table was not the first multi-touch multiuser device produced. Microsoft Surface was released before the SMART Table. But the SMART Table is the first device of that nature to be used simply for education purposes. The SMART Table is an interactive, hands-on learning device on which up to eight students at a time can work on lesson activities. The SMART Table encourages collaboration as the students work through a variety of customizable lesson activities to support their classroom curriculum (TL Editors, 2013). A variety of lesson activities involving different content area are available including literacy, geography, colors, numbers, music, addition, puzzles and even bugs.