SMART Boards are gaining in popularity and are evident in numerous classrooms throughout Alexandria City Public Schools. SMART Boards are praised for their tactile nature, which encourages students to manipulate, experiment, drag, drop, interact with objects and, above all, empower their learning. A SMART Board is a perfect example of a technology tool that also serves as a visualization tool and that allows students to participate in hands-on activities. SMART Boards allow students to do many unique things that traditional methods of teaching do not allow and are overwhelmingly popular with students and staff alike.

During the 2013-2014 school year, the 9th Grade campus of Minnie Howard invested in 14 new 800 series SMART Boards. These SMART Boards were installed in two stages within 14 classrooms and have been in use ever since. Fourteen teachers were selected by the principal, Sara Schafer, to pilot and model SMART Boards in the classroom and these 14 teachers participate in ongoing professional development sessions, led by the high school TISes. The professional development sessions began with a basic skills component, proceeded to an advanced component and a culminating boot camp designed to increase student participation and engagement with the SMART Boards now that teachers are familiar with the practical applications of the SMART Board. The teachers are working with the TIS to create and plan lessons that are designed around integrating the SMART Boards into daily instruction with an emphasis on student participation. Student responses are positive regarding the introduction of the SMART Boards into their classrooms.