Professors question intelligence of Smartboards
Two boards on campus donated by an alum hardly ever used
Andy Buss
Issue date: 3/12/09 Section: News
Few professors outside the business department use the two Smartboards in Hillsdale College's classrooms, which cost about $2,500 each.
But regardless of their popularity, the college did not lose any money on them. Alumnus Kim Beck donated the boards years ago when a few business professors said they'd like to try the Smartboards out.
"I've been using one for about ten years," Professor of Accounting Michael Sweeney said. "I think they are, for me, a very effective teaching tool. It goes well with my teaching style. I can get up, move around, get in front of the board instead of ducking behind a computer screen when I'm covering problems."
He said he particularly likes the way they work with Microsoft Excel, and their capability to record his voice and the writing he does on them. The one in Lane 231 doesn't work, he said, but he frequently uses the board in the Lane Hall computer lab.
Assistant Professor of Marketing Susan King agreed.
"I think what you'll find is those of us teaching business - I see us as being a good target market for that product," she said. "I would use them if I had one available."
Assistant Professor of Biology Daniel York said he thinks he would use a Smartboard in his lectures if one was available in the science building, but in these tough economic times, it would not be his first choice of fund allocation.
"Given budgetary constraints, there are other things I'd prefer," he said.
Vice President of Administration Rich Péwé said in an e-mail to The Collegian that he expected a higher demand for Smartboards from professors, but it has not come. He also said the reason for only keeping two currently is a combination of low usage among the faculty and a question of cost-effectiveness given the steep price of the board.
King said she understands the current difficulty of justifying the purchase of more Smartboards.
"I know it's a big investment," she said. "And in these cautious economic times, they just may not have the available funds."
Some professors, such as Professor of Christianity and Literature John Reist, don't mind the limited number of Smartboards.
When asked if he knew what a Smartboard was, he replied, "Yeah, that's my students in my class - they're smart, but they're bored."
After having the boards' functions explained to him, Reist said it sounded like a pain, and said he would "rather prepare for class with books."
Reist said he resembles the Luddites - a group in England in the 19th century that opposed the rise of industrial technology.
"I've never owned or used a laptop computer," he said.
But regardless of their popularity, the college did not lose any money on them. Alumnus Kim Beck donated the boards years ago when a few business professors said they'd like to try the Smartboards out.
"I've been using one for about ten years," Professor of Accounting Michael Sweeney said. "I think they are, for me, a very effective teaching tool. It goes well with my teaching style. I can get up, move around, get in front of the board instead of ducking behind a computer screen when I'm covering problems."
He said he particularly likes the way they work with Microsoft Excel, and their capability to record his voice and the writing he does on them. The one in Lane 231 doesn't work, he said, but he frequently uses the board in the Lane Hall computer lab.
Assistant Professor of Marketing Susan King agreed.
"I think what you'll find is those of us teaching business - I see us as being a good target market for that product," she said. "I would use them if I had one available."
Assistant Professor of Biology Daniel York said he thinks he would use a Smartboard in his lectures if one was available in the science building, but in these tough economic times, it would not be his first choice of fund allocation.
"Given budgetary constraints, there are other things I'd prefer," he said.
Vice President of Administration Rich Péwé said in an e-mail to The Collegian that he expected a higher demand for Smartboards from professors, but it has not come. He also said the reason for only keeping two currently is a combination of low usage among the faculty and a question of cost-effectiveness given the steep price of the board.
King said she understands the current difficulty of justifying the purchase of more Smartboards.
"I know it's a big investment," she said. "And in these cautious economic times, they just may not have the available funds."
Some professors, such as Professor of Christianity and Literature John Reist, don't mind the limited number of Smartboards.
When asked if he knew what a Smartboard was, he replied, "Yeah, that's my students in my class - they're smart, but they're bored."
After having the boards' functions explained to him, Reist said it sounded like a pain, and said he would "rather prepare for class with books."
Reist said he resembles the Luddites - a group in England in the 19th century that opposed the rise of industrial technology.
"I've never owned or used a laptop computer," he said.
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