David+Phenix

Defense of Innovation for Multimedia Presentation By David Phenix The innovation that I chose to use for my Multimedia Presentation was the electronic interactive whiteboard or SMARTboard. The SMARTBoard is an interactive blackboard that allows students to engage along with the teacher through the use of touch recognition and specially designed software which will help in facilitating learning through the use of a SMARTBoard. Touch recognition allows both the students and teachers to move items on the SMARTBoard around on the board itself. This can be done by using a stylist or pen. This allows teachers to select, mark, move, drag, or erase items from the SMARTBoard. You can also use your hand, finger, or fist to move or draw items on the SMARTBoard as well. The touch recognition feature also allows students to do the same in front of the class. The specially designed software can provide a medium by which students can learn and interact through designed lesson plans which allow teachers to work in conjunction with the teachers. The SMARTBoard can also access the Internet which also has the potential to help both teacher and student. The SMARTBoard technology and software has allowed teachers and students to take the traditional chalkboard and make it interactive by the use of touch recognition, SMART software, and the Internet. The old blackboard has now become a touch screen computer. Like most technology, there is a learning curve the teachers must go through in order to maximize the potential of the SMARTBoard but the end-result opens a whole new way of learn for students of every level and ability.

The three innovations that I chose to in my previous assignment were the E-Gradebook, the virtual classroom, and the SMARTBoard. While the E-Gradebook is a great innovation that can bring parent into the students learning process, I felt that it really was only a reporting tool that teachers used to inform the parents and did not have much of a impact on the learning process itself. The E-Gradebook is really a product of the Internet and being able network communication. I felt the virtual classroom was an excellent us of technology in the education world yet, it was extremely vast and broad and often hard to define. In my opinion, there are a vast number of innovations in technology that impact the virtual classroom and its teachers. As a result, I felt that the topic was much to0 broad to attempt to define. That left me with the SMARTBoard. I felt that the SMARTboard is product that truly has not realized its potential. The SMARTBoard is an innovation that encourages creativity and innovations and can also aid in with students of many different learning levels and backgrounds.

Ultimately though, the effectiveness of the SMARTBoard is dictated by the effectiveness of student learning and achievement. As great as technology can be, if students fail to learn or improve academically there is no sense in using the technology. In a 2009, a study by Christine Bangsund and Margaret Jacobson (2009), determined through recent research findings that teachers who had 20-30 months of training with SMARTBoards showed a 20% percentile gain in test scores and teachers with 2 years of training and using the technology 75% of the time showed a 29% gain in test scores. They also surveyed a sample of 3,152 students in grades 3-8. Those students who utilized the SMARTBoard technology outperformed their grade level peers in language arts and math. There are other studies that also showed increases in achievement and effectiveness due to utilizing SMARTboard technologies. Overall the finding of Bangsund and Jacobson’s (2009) research supported.


 * Quality, Ongoing Professional Development
 * Gains in Student Achievement
 * Complete Integration and readily accessible use of the SMARTBoard
 * Placement of SMARTBoards in the classroom

Based on this research, I feel the SMARTBoard would be my best choice as the innovation in technology for my Multimedia Presentation/ ** Reference ** Bangsund, C & Jacobson, M. (2009), //Smartboards in elementary schools.// Retrieved from []

[[file:IEW Storyboard - Week 6 Revisions.pptx]]
__**Week 7 Assignment**__
 * Who would you expect to be (or who are) the innovators and early adopters in your field of work for the innovation you are exploring? What strategies are the most persuasive in convincing them to adopt the innovation?**

I would expect the schools that are most likely to adopt Interactive Electronic Whiteboards would have several characteristics. First, they would be forward thinking in their teaching strategies by understanding that the more interactive and engaging students in the classroom, the more successful they will be. This is backed up through statistics and test results. Secondly, schools that adopt IEW's are those that see that utilize and see the value of technology in the classroom. They would view technology not as novelty or cool toy, but something that is engaging and educationally effective. Finally, schools that are most likely to adopt IEW's are those that are financially solid. Unfortunately, in many school systems today, when it comes to adopting technology, finances are central determining factor. For many schools, cuts in technology play a part in the overall cuts that are going on in today's school systems throughout the nation, For example, the school system that I teach in are not replacing any computers in classrooms. I teach in a computer lab, we are currently using computers that are 5-6 years old. This is considered ancient in the fast-paced world of computer technology.

The strategy that I would use to convince adoption would be to stress the increase in test scores and academic performance that are the result of using the interactive electronic whiteboards. Even though, finances are a central concern of many education systems, student achievement would trump the need to cutback technology cost if it can proven that students academic performances increased as a direct result to the usage of IEW's.


 * Who do you think would be (or who are) the laggards in terms of rejecting the innovation? What strategies would be best to help move them toward adoption?**

The laggards would most likely fall into two categories. First would be those who are intimidated by technology. These are teachers that didn't grow up with or work during the rise of technology. This teachers also known as art of the digital divide. While this number is quickly shrinking, there are still a number of people are intimidated by technology and would shy away from technology and are much more comfortable with traditional blackboards or whiteboards. Second, are those that don't feel that technology that beneficial in an educational environment and it is perhaps IEW’s are a waste of money. Overcoming these objections would involve not only explaining the benefits of IEW's but the ease of usability and interactivity. A solid promotion and training program that focuses on ease of use and repetition could possibly ease any anxiety of the use of new technologies. Also, as stated earlier, explaining and presenting the increase in test scores and student academic performances through the use of the IEW's would also be a powerful tool. This can be done through solid and graphical represented statistics that can show a direct correlation between IEW's and student performances.


 * Which combination of perceived attributes would be best for helping your innovation meet critical mass in your industry?**

First and foremost, would be student performance. If that can be demonstrated that student performance increases due to IEW’s then the chances of adoption increases greatly. Secondly, would be a demonstration of cost effectiveness would be effective as well. Providing an answer the question: "Is there an academic benefit for purchasing and installing Interactive Electronic Whiteboard in our classrooms?" would go a long way to promoting the adoption of IEW’s, especially to those at the county office level. Finally, explaining and demonstrating the ease of usability of the IEW to administrators, teacher and students. This could help overcome any nervousness or intimidation.