General+Resources

=__**General Resources **__= = = Whether you are working with a SmartBoard or one of the half dozen or more interactive whiteboards on the market it is important to keep in mind that whiteboards are best utilized when the teacher feels comfortable enough with the technology to turn it over to their students. In this section I will be providing you with resources that can be used for many different subject areas and types of interactive whiteboards. While you can, (and likely will) develop your own interactive resources, there are a plethora of sites and services available online that provide ready-made or easily edited resources to get you started. Below are some of the resources that I have found particularly helpful in my own classroom. Many of these sites are regularly updated and provide opportunities to share resources that you have created with the educational community. I encourage you to share with others your knowledge so that we can all improve in our teaching methods using interactive whiteboards to support student learning. Good luck!

=  __**Center School District Resources**__  = = = This is a great website created by the Center School District in Missouri. On this site, you can explore an amazing number of easily edited templates, resources, ideas, and tips based on the actual experiences of educators who use the boards in their daily practice.

= = = The SMART Exchange = This is a database of lessons and resources that can be downloaded and in many cases edited free of charge. The resources are organized by subject area, curriculum standards, and grade level. In addition, the SMART Exchange allows you to connect with other teachers to ask and answer questions you may be having about your board.

= Promethean Planet = Similar to the SMART Exchange, Activ- maker of the popular Promethean boards created this site where users and professionals can upload and share resources, templates, and lessons with other educators. It is a wonderful database that can easily be searched and provides excellent opportunities for professional development and communication.

= Teacher LED- Interactive Whiteboard Resources for Teacher = Teacher LED is a collection of ready-made templates and activities designed for general interactive whiteboard use. The majority of these resources are not SMART specific and can be used quite easily. There are also a wide variety of quiz-style games to make it easier for teachers to turn over their board to the students.



=Fife Education Notebook Downloads= Fife Education, based out of the UK provides a wide variety of free, download-able interactive games, activities,simulations, and lessons created using the SMART Notebook software.



= Topmarks Educational Search Engine = = = Topmark's has an amazing selection of organized and annotated links to interactive games and presentations that can easily be navigated by teachers or students using an interactive whiteboard.

= = = PBS Kids Interactive Whiteboard Games = PBS created a section on their website with games and activities specifically designed for interactive whiteboard equipped classrooms. The resources are organized around the four primary subject areas and are very user friendly.

=Scholastic Interactive Whiteboard Resources=

Scholastic has a variety of interactive games and activities primarily for use in primary school classrooms. These resources are provided free of charge and are professionally made.