You may have more wisdom, more knowledge and experience in certain areas, but fifth graders at Region 15's Long Meadow Elementary School are gaining expertise in a new technology you may have never heard of.

The school's PTO has embarked on a campaign to raise money to purchase SMART Board technology for each classroom at LMES. Units are already in place in fifth-grade classrooms.

Effectively a giant computer screen that replaces the traditional blackboard at the front of the room, SMART Board interactive whiteboards feature a touch-sensitive display connected to a computer and controlled from the keyboard or by someone - a teacher or student - standing at the front of the class.

SMART Board technology was used extensively in television coverage of the recent presidential election and has been popular in business applications.

Now, school districts are seeking out interactive whiteboards for their ability to engage students in ways not possible with a map on the wall, numbers on a blackboard or words on a printed page.

In addition to pursuing technology grants and conducting fund-raising events, LMES is offering naming recognition for the donation of a SMART Board.

When a business, organization or individual donates a board, a name plaque will be placed next to the board, acknowledging that donation.

LMES parents Kathy Bower and Rick Richardson, who have three daughters at LMES, were the first to jump on that bandwagon, purchasing a SMART Board on behalf of their respective law offices.

So convinced was she of the value of SMART Board technology that Atty. Bower persuaded fellow members of the Southbury Business Association to purchase a second SMART Board, to be installed in the school's library/media center.

SBA president Kevin DeLaney and member Suzy Duffy visited the school last week to receive a certificate of appreciation from PTO President Kathy DeRienzo and Principal Richard Gusenburg.

While at the school, they visited two classrooms for a demonstration of how SMART Boards work.

Fifth-grade social studies teachers Joanne Reynolds and Joan Kelly were practicing their SMART Board skills in an empty classroom on their lunch hour.

"This is a study guide we did to go along with the book we're reading," said Ms. Reynolds. "I just cut-and-pasted it from a Word document. It's a good way for the kids to prepare for their assessment.

"When something's important, I can highlight it on the SMART Board," she said, moving her finger along the board. "Highlighting is such an important strategy for any child to focus on what they need."

"Anyone who can use a computer can use this," Ms. DeRienzo explained. "You use your finger instead of a mouse."

It was easy to see how students might pay more attention to a lesson presented in such a way.

"In the hands of a good teacher, it's great," Mr. Gusenburg said. "Otherwise, it's a glorified overhead projector. We're doing training now and some of the teachers are spending their lunch time playing with it.

"A big piece of it is teachers developing all the materials that go with it," he said. "A lot is online; there are lots of user groups. As we do curriculum work, our staff will begin to develop it."

"We've already had one class here and some guest speakers," said Ms. Reynolds. "We're just really starting to build a library and work together."

Accessing the Internet from her desktop computer, Ms. Reynolds then pulled up a video clip illustrating a lesson on the Silk Route.

Beginning with a map of Italy, the video followed sailing ships setting off from Venice and Genoa. Next came a caravan of camels crossing the dessert, along with an animated map and commentary of what early travelers might have encountered along the way.

"We have so many visual learners," said Ms. Reynolds. "This works really well with them."

With SMART Board technology, the teacher remains at the front of the class where he or she can point to things, highlight important concepts and maintain eye contact with students.

"You have that immediacy," said Mr. Gusenburg. "The teacher remains in front of the room, not in the back with a projector."

LMES now has six SMART Boards in place, with three more on order.

"The first three were portioned to three teachers who were very excited and willing to devote the extra time to learn how to do it," the principal said.

"The next ones will go to the library and the fourth grade. We're hoping to get them into the third grade by the end of the year."

Each classroom SMART Board costs between $3,700 and $3,800, depending on the configuration. The unit in the library will be around $4,300, which includes software, projector and cables.

"Our region doesn't have the funds to put SMART Boards in every room," the principal said, "so we turned to our wonderful volunteers who work very hard."

Given the current economic climate and the concern about the school budget, it's refreshing to learn of the PTO's energy and innovation in this self-help approach to obtaining technology, Atty. Bower told Voices.

"We're very excited and very thankful," said Ms. Reynolds. "The kids love to come up and use it."

"We live in a multi-media world," said Mr. Gusenburg. "If these kids are going to go off to the business world, they have to be able to do more than just stand in front of people and talk."

"I'm very excited," said Mr. DeLaney, speaking on behalf of the SBA. "I'm glad we could do it. I hope we can do some more."

Those seeking additional information may call Mr. Gusenburg at LMES, 203-758-1144.