Understanding and Using Electronic Tools
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High-Tech Teacher Tools

Smartboard
Laptop and LCD projector
Digital Camera		 Wolf Vision
Apple I-Pod
Video Camera


Using a Smartboard

The SmartBoard (also known as a Whiteboard) is fast becoming a favorite amongst teachers. Developed by Smart Technologies the SmartBoard combines the functionality of a standard dry erase board with the technology of computers.

  • Users first need to know how to 'orient' the SmartBoard. Orienting the board allows precision pen and finger placement on the board. The red arrow below points to the Smartboard control panel.

  • On clicking the Control Panel the following screen appears. The red circle below shows the Orientation button. Follow the directions to orient the SmartBoard.

  • Next open the Smart Notebook. The Notebook allows teachers to perform many different functions, including:
    - Writing
    - Screen capture
    - Education Gallery

  • The Essentials for Educators Gallery includes pictures, graphs, sounds, and Flash movies organizes in numerous content areas. Smart Technologies updates and adds new content regularly.

Possible Ways to Enhance Instruction:

  1. By adding colorful notes and pictures to aid classroom discussion.
  2. Allows the teacher to stand and interact with the computer instead of sitting behind a desk.
  3. The Gallery provides many resources to aid in many different content areas.
  4. Online curriculum and lesson plans are available from Smart Technologies. (see red stars on picture above)
  5. Almost limitless aids to instruction. Too many to list here. The teacher's imagination is the limiting factor.

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Using a Laptop and LCD projector

How to Setup:

  1. Plug the power strip into an electrical outlet.
  2. Plug the laptop power source into the laptop and into the power strip.
  3. Plug the projector power cord into the power strip and the projector.
  4. Connect the laptop to the projector using the RGB cord. Plug into slot labeled RGB in on the projector and the video outlet on the laptop which is usually blue.

Turning on the Equipment:

  1. Turn on the projector by pressing the power button. (Be sure to turn the projector on first.)
  2. Press the Stand by button on the projector.
  3. Open the laptop and push the power button.

Using the Equipment:

PC users- To transfer the image from the laptop to the projector screen, it may be necessary to press the Function Key (FN) and either F7 or F8 at the same time (look for LCD/CRT on one of those keys). Depress the keys at the same time until the image is displayed on both laptop and projector screens.

If you have completed all these steps and your image is still not projected, try restarting the laptop.

To focus the image, rotate the lens and to zoom, rotate the plastic level on the outer ring.
You can also adjust the brightness and contrast levels by pressing Menu and adjusting the settings.

Turning off the Equipment:

  1. Push the "Stand By" button on the projector and wait for the blinking green light to turn amber.
  2. Push the power button on the projector to the off position.
  3. Shut down the laptop and disconnect all the cords carefully.

Possible ways to enhance instruction:

  1. Using a PowerPoint presentation organizes information in a way that allows students to easily follow along and take their own notes.
  2. Visual aides are always good to have in your lesson for reinforcement and for visual learners.

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Using a Digital Camera

How to Operate a Digital Camera:

  1. Turn the power on and take the cap off the lens.
  2. Be sure the flash memory is clear of old contents.
  3. Depending on your environment, turn the flash on or leave it off.
  4. When you are ready to take a picture, you may use use the zoom button to zoom in or out on the object.
  5. Press the button on the front right panel of the camera to save or capture the image to your memory stick.
  6. Repeat until all desired pictures are taken.
  7. The switch on the back of the camera will allow you to switch to play mode and view pictures you have saved.
  8. You will also have the option to delete images from your disk. Press the 'menu' button to see all the options of the lab cameras.

How to Insert a Picture into a Word Document:

  1. Connect the camera's USB to the computer. Turn the camera to view mode and press 'on'.
  2. Open up a Word document.
  3. Using the scroll down menu choose Insert
  4. Next, go to Picture and then click from File
  5. Choose your disk and you can view the files/pictures you have taken.
  6. Finally, double-click on the file/picture you would like to insert.

Using a Digital Camera to enhance instruction:

Pictures are worth a thousand words! Digital cameras have many uses that can be utilized by teachers. Pictures can be taken of almost any topic and then can be shown to students to help them visualize the subject matter. Here are some examples:

  • Take pictures of your students to add to a class web-page or newsletter- maybe choose to include pictures of students as a reward for achievement.
  • Science- taking pictures of organisms being studied.
  • Art- after studying different architecture styles, the teacher or students take pictures to illustrate similarities and differences between architecture styles and shows them to the class.
  • Math- taking pictures of numbers and shapes that are used in everyday life.

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Wolfvision Visual Presenter

Using Wolfvision with a LCD projector:

  1. Plug power cord into the power unit of the Wolfvision then plug it into an outlet.
  2. Next, connect the USB cable to the wolfvision and then to the USB port on the computer
  3. Then disconnect the RGB cable from the EPSON progector and put that cable into the Extern In on the wolfvsion.
  4. Next connect the white RGB cable that came with the wolfvision to the video 1 on the EPSON projector.
  5. Turn the power on on the wolfvision and then on the back of the head of the wolfvision there is a button that says extern on, push that button to change views from the computer screen to the wolfvision.

Using Wolfvision to Enhance Instruction:

Wolfvision is basically an overhead projector that can be connected to a TV or LCD projector. It's video camera easily displays documents, transparencies or slides. Three-dimensional objects come to life with built- in bi-directional lighting.There is a capture button that allows a teacher to take a picture of the images that are presented as well. Visual aides can add so much to instruction...the possibilities are endless!

Go to: http://www.wolfvision.com/wolf/port_detail8.html to get more information on the WolfVision.

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Apple iPod The Apple iPod is mainly used to listen to music. However, it also has many uses in education.

  1. Open iTunes on the computer.Plug your iPod into the computer using the USB cable.Look for the name of the iPod to appear on the left of the screen.
  2. Play files, clear files, or add files to the iPod.

Using iPod in the Classroom:

  • If you have to be out, you can pre-record your lesson for that day. Place the mp3 file (or Podcast) on a web site for download. Simple way to save historical music and/or speeches for play in the classroom.
  • Have students create there own Podcasts. Check out Mabry Middle School podcasts (note: new computers do not have iTunes-only front instructor's computer)

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Using a Video CameraRecording a Picture:

  1. Make sure the battery is charged or the AC adapter is plugged into an outlet.Insert a DVD into the DVD compartment.Remove the lens cap.Set the power switch to camera.Open the LCD panel while pressing open.
  2. Press the red button to start recording; press the red button again to stop recording.

Watching the Playback:

  1. Set the Power switch to VTR.Press << to rewind.
  2. Press > to start playback.

Possible ways to enhance instruction:

  • Use the camera as a data gathering tool.Create video productions from the student's perspective.
  • Collect images for projects.

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