Elmo and SMARTBoard:
Making the Most of Wireless Technologies
in Library Instruction
Lynn Lampert, MLIS
sCIL Open House, UCLA Jan 5, 2001
Elmo Projector –http://www.elmo-corp.com/
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Use of Elmo allows instructors to use a
myriad of material as graphics. Pictures
can be used directly from books without
alteration. Any print material can be
delivered, and these images can be saved
as slides in a computer for a later use.
One caution, be aware of size and variety
of print.
The Elmo is the
handiest piece of
instructional
technology since the
overhead projector, but
also the most
commonly misused.
Some guidelines for using the Elmo are:
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Avoid white or dark background. Prepare materials in
landscape not portrait format.
Do not use ballpoint pens or standard pencils.
Use a felt tip colored pen to produce large and bold print
handwritten materials.
Use your favorite word processing program to prepare
overheads.
BOLD 24 point size is best. Use sans serif type face.
All materials should be uniform in size and format to
avoid continuous camera zooming and focusing.
Do not laminate, produces reflection from overhead
lighting.
SMARTBoard – It is really Smart?
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The SMARTBoard is an
interactive whiteboard
that improves the way
you meet, teach, train
and present. It combines
the look and feel of a
regular whiteboard with
the power of a computer
so you can save and print
notes, collaborate on
electronic documents,
share information and run
multimedia materials.
How does the SMARTBoard work?
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It uses resistive
technology, which means
there is a small air gap
between two sheets of
resistive material inside
the Board. When you
press on the Board with
your finger or an ordinary
dry-erase marker, a
contact point is registered
and its coordinates
correspond to the same
area on the computer
screen.
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Because the SMART
Board is based on
resistive technology, it
does not require a special
stylus or pen to perform
mouse or pen functions
at the Board, only
pressure on the Board's
surface.
How does the SMARTBoard help?
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Frees you from the podium
Allows for class interactivity
Allows for ease of application change
You can write on the SMARTBoard
It is great for explaining progressive clicks
on database web interfaces – a strong tool
for instructors need to meet visual
learners.
What can you do with it?
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Write, draw, or type
over any Windows
application with a
Magnetic pen
Use your finger, or a
pointer, to “click” on
web links, or open
and close documents
- Your finger is the
mouse!
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Create and edit using
annotation shapes
and objects
Import documents
from many electronic
sources
Export (save, print, or
e-mail) any SMART
Board-created
document
SMARTBoard pens
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Although these “pens” don’t have ink, they will
write on the board for you using magnetic
sensors. You can set the width and colors of the
pens to your preference. One feature I like is
setting one of the pens to be a “highlighter.” This
is perfect for when you want to highlight a word
on a document or web page.
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The SMARTBoard can also be used with
Expo/erasable pens in non-interactive mode,
functioning as a normal whiteboard.
Other Advantages of SMARTBoard
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Opening and closing documents while standing by the
screen saves time - you do not have to be constantly at
your keyboard. Clicking on links with your finger or a
pointer makes demonstration more clear - you don’t “tell”
the students what you are clicking on; you “show,” and
they see the link and will easily follow along with you.
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Your computer keyboard remains fully functional and
can still be used with the SMARTBoard. Most
instructors tend to go back and forth between standing
by the board to do touch demonstration, and standing by
the keyboard.
How much is this SMARTBoard
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The specifications will determine price,
including size of the board, whether you
want a rear or front-projection board, and
whether you want it to be mobile (on
wheels) or permanently mounted. The
current price range appears to be from
$1,400 to $10,500, depending upon
various options.
What other Instruction Librarians Have to Say
Librarians using a SMARTBoard suggested three main factors
to consider in making the purchasing decision in the LIRT June
1999 Newsletter:
1.The design of the room where it will be used. Visibility in
long, narrow labs is not as good as in smaller facilities.
2.Whether it will be used for demonstration-only, or in a
networked laboratory. It seems to be a more cost-effective
purchase for hands-on electronic classrooms.
3.Who will be using it? Will faculty outside of the Library
have access? Who will train instructors?
Overall Thoughts About SMARTBoard
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The ability to “show” rather than “tell” is
the best part of this technology.
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You will have more time to teach by cutting
down on endless trips back and forth to
the podium or keyboard.
Common Problems
Orienting the Board - Sometimes your magic Vanna
White touch goes astray if the board is off target. You
then need to set the targets just like you would on a
PalmPilot stylus driven device.
Watch out for professors trying to use “regular”
markers on the board (not a good thing!) and also
knocking the projector out of alignment.