Smart Tables

[Dianne R]

Who is using Smart Tables? Do you like them and what grade levels would you recommend with them?

[Jennifer Gibson]

I thought these don't come out until the spring. I have looked into them a little bit, and am hoping to write a grant for one...

[Dianne R]

Thanks! I guess I need to look a little harder at these.

[Ginny Washburne]

We are still beta testing the SMART Tables so they are not available yet. We should have one in our Chicago office in the next few months, and hopefully at the ICE conference if anyone is interested in seeing it.

[SMART Technologies]

The SMART Table is now available for purchase. More info is available here: http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Products/SMART+Table/

As well, we've posted a new Table video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6hGVvXYKc4

Based on the videos I've seen posted (and in talking to the Table team), the Table is more suited to younger kids because trying to squeeze 4 16 year olds around the Table don't work so well. And from the software I've seen on the Table, it's more shape games and simple math tools for kids.

[Dodie Ainslie]

Have two we are piloting, first thought- not worth the $8,000 price tag. We are still waiting on the key (not shipped with it), having a hard time syncing activities already made- and haven't started trying to create others yet. Toolkit software not as user-friendly as other SMART tools... Still trying to get it up and running with students.

[Colette Retrosi]

The table is definitely suited for younger children, but keep in mind, that it is till word-based. My 5-year old can attend to some tasks with configuration recognition, but he is not a reader yet, so he gets frustrated. The new software is much better, but I still think it has a long way to go from becoming a TOOL over a classroom toy, and a very expensive one at that. I also think that SMART needs to step it up on the training offerings on the table. The software does not translate easily from computer to table, so content creation can be tricky. I also find that the classroom environment and location of the table needs to be ideal since lighting (windows ad overhead) can be a deterrent to effective performance of the table. I work for an AV company as a SMART EC and just brought the table home to try to become an "expert." I am far from it, but feel free to contact me with questions.

[Vanessa Cassie]

I too am an Education Consultant for an AV company, and have found the SMART table to be the one product with the steepest learning curve. This is primarily due some software issues when trying to work on mulit-platforms (computer and table). However, customizing lessons within the pre-designed templates is fairly easy if you follow the user guide found here: http://www2.smarttech.com/kbdoc/131757

Using the guide I've been able to create a few image-based activities suitable for younger students. It does take a bit more time to create these activities, but the toolkit that comes with the table is EXTREMELY useful for finding the appropriate clipart.

[Paige M]

I am also not happy with the NB Gallery that takes a lot of steps to put those images and backgrounds into the SMART table. It should be seamless, as they are made by the same company! Echoing Collette and Vanessa's concerns and job title... they need to make creation easier, or it will not be as popular as it could be.