Although the business of learning is serious, five-year-old Molly Wulff thinks learning to read, write and count is more like playing games with Bacon Elementary School’s interactive SmartBoard.

“Kindergarten is fun because we get to play on the SmartBoard," Molly said.

Poudre School District students learn academics along with 21st century skills using SmartBoards, computers, and other technology tools in classrooms throughout the district. Making sure students learn 21st century skills supports PSD’s learning goals.

At first glance, the SmartBoard looks like a basic white board, or dry-erase board, and is a little smaller than a traditional black board. However, the SmartBoard uses technology to offer fast-paced interactive lessons that excite and engage children who can’t wait for their turn to write directly on the board using their fingers, or a special pen; erase with the palm of their hands; arrange a series of pictures in the correct order, and count by ones, twos, fives or 10’s.

Molly and 22 classmates gathered around Bacon kindergarten teacher Suzanne Biedscheid and the SmartBoard to learn how to count to 20 using a numbered grid projected onto the board. Touch-sensitive technology changed the color of each number at a student’s touch, visually illustrating the lesson. Filled with confidence, students eagerly raised their hands for the chance to count by ones and by twos up to 20. Only one student volunteered to try to count by 10’s all the way to 100. At the SmartBoard, she carefully pressed numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, and then looked questioningly at her teacher.

“Oops, that wasn’t really counting by 10’s,” Biedscheid explained. “That was counting to 10 by ones.” Touching the numbers 10, 20, 30, 40, 50. 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 positioned on the right side of the grid, Biedscheid virtually demonstrated how to count by 10’s to 100.

“This row shows us what it means when we count by 10’s,” Biedscheid explained, changing the color of each number as the children enthusiastically counted 10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100!

Biedscheid is one of three PSD teachers who were recently accepted in the SMART Exemplary Educator program which recognizes educators around the world who are using SMART products to transform teaching and learning. Tracey Winey of Preston Middle School, and Vanessa Lucero of Beattie Elementary School were also accepted into the program. As part of the application process, all three teachers submitted a YouTube video featuring one of their lessons. Watch Biedscheid's video below.

“These teachers will collaborate with a global network of talented and dedicated teachers, technology coordinators and administrators who are leading the way using SMART products to engage students and improve learning outcomes,” said Carol Peterson, PSD instructional technology coordinator.