In the past year a couple of teachers got the chance to test out the new clear touch devices before they were sent out to all the teachers to replace the SMART Boards.
“The SMART boards are being replaced because of issues we have had over time with them, and the cost of maintaining them. A lot of teachers never used the SMART board for anything other than a projector because it just didn’t work properly,” said Psych Technology Technician Jeff Davis.
Coming back from winter break this year, students saw that every teacher was given one.
“It copies what I say … and that also helps our interpreters. This could be mobile. There are options with it … Excellent use for math, excellent use for science … If you’re gone any substitute can come on here and use it. So, it does have a twofer one benefit with it as well. But one of my favorite things is the talk to text. That is a big benefit that I see that is helpful for a lot of my kids that cannot hear clearly or have been or the inability to hear,” Business Teacher Kindsay Colclasure said.
Clear Touch boards have been a change for the better for teachers and most teachers have had an uncomplicated time learning how to use these new devices and enjoy how much easier it is to connect the device.
The features that the Clear touch device have helped teachers when it comes to interacting with its screen with the drawing tools and being able to switch pages or tabs when teaching.
“I’m not quite used to where I want to place it yet. Right now, mine doesn’t sit very high. So, I think sometimes its visuals can be kind of hidden because of the students sitting in front of it. You may not be able to see it. But there are ways to be able to stand it up higher. There are even stands that make it do this. I don’t have the ability to make that happen. So, kind of what I have here is just going to have to make my room surround it.,” said Colclasure.
However, not all teachers have had the best experience with the Clear Touch devices and have faced many problems with them.
“I would say at first it was harder, because we hadn’t really been trained on how to use it. It was just kind of thrown in the classroom. And they were like, ‘Okay, go.’ So that was a little nerve racking. But now that I’ve been using it for a while, it’s getting easier to use. I’m having less issues with it. Because I figured out a system,” math teacher Stephanie Carlson said.
Students have seen the struggle that teachers face trying to adjust to this new device.
“I find that teachers struggle a lot with them. And you can tell some don’t even use them, just using the whiteboard, still use the smartboard. I feel like they’re more advanced and like our generation,” Emely Marin (11) said.
As teachers get more used to using these new devices and learn more about them and how to use them, teaching for teachers will be much smoother without having constant problems with the device, leading to smoother and more content filled class periods.
