Smart Board, Stupid Money

[benjispeer]

So this weekend I was out at the lake camping with my family and my uncle who owns several companies had some of his employees out with us. While we were talking one of the employees mentioned a "side hustle" he had going. He works for a company installing Smart Boards in classrooms across the state. He said that the company typically quotes a school for 10 grand a classroom. The most recent school district they did, they made 52 million dollars. This is ridiculous amounts of tax payer money being spent on a service that should NOT require that much. After seeing many stories like this I'm confident that the best business to be in is one that takes government money because they are so careless with it. Just thought I would share, and I'm looking forward to hearing yall's thoughts on this. For those of you who may not know what a smart board is... it's pretty much an interactive white board. The next generation black/white board I guess. http://smarttech.com/us/Solutions/Ed...+for+education

[Runum]

I am supposed to be utilizing a smart board with my students everyday in science class. I have had one for 3 years and am not impressed. They were sold to the school under the premise of keeping the students more engaged. The result would eventually be higher performing students. Once the "new" wore off, I have not seen any increase in student interest.

Old fashioned, engaging, hands on lessons still work for my students. We did this one about 2 weeks ago and it was a blast. Yes, that is me in the blue shirt and that is one of my students in the cardboard boat. Studying the Scientific Process.



Sorry guys, faces obscured for privacy reasons.

[Runum]

As far as the boards, I see them as the latest "fad" in education. If the feds want to give the money in the form of grants to the schools, then the schools will buy them because no parents, administrators, and teachers want their students to be left behind.

[Mike39]

So this weekend I was out at the lake camping with my family and my uncle who owns several companies had some of his employees out with us. While we were talking one of the employees mentioned a "side hustle" he had going. He works for a company installing Smart Boards in classrooms across the state. He said that the company typically quotes a school for 10 grand a classroom. The most recent school district they did, they made 52 million dollars. This is ridiculous amounts of tax payer money being spent on a service that should NOT require that much. After seeing many stories like this I'm confident that the best business to be in is one that takes government money because they are so careless with it. Just thought I would share, and I'm looking forward to hearing yall's thoughts on this. For those of you who may not know what a smart board is... it's pretty much an interactive white board. The next generation black/white board I guess. SMART Education Products: Interactive Education Products - SMART Technologies

Same with colleges

[benjispeer]

@Runum Bravo. Nothing beats a good day at school than actually doing something. I agree that hands on teaching/learning is the best way to go. I also see the boards as somewhat of a fad. I believe that they will stick around, but I do think that more schools are getting them just because they can, more than because they will actually add value to the teaching process. @Mike39 I'm not too sure by what you mean by "Same with colleges." Overall I think the lesson to be taken from this, is that if you can identify a product that is the "next big thing" in industries funded by the government and get it on it soon enough, you are definitely on your way to millions.

[Mike39]

@Mike39 I'm not too sure by what you mean by "Same with colleges." Overall I think the lesson to be taken from this, is that if you can identify a product that is the "next big thing" in industries funded by the government and get it on it soon enough, you are definitely on your way to millions.

The government pays for the majority of kids college educations, so colleges can charge insanely higher prices, its the same idea on a larger scale. Honestly, I understand the business model but I don't support it, while it is easier to charge high prices, an you can get your Lambo or Ferrari, you are contributing to the fall of the U.S. You have to remember, the government isn't the one actually paying you, its the taxpayers, and you and I both know that 10k a classroom is insane, and who pays for that, the american middle and upper class, the upper class can afford it, the middle class gets f*ed, maybe its just because of my background and where I live, but it would keep me up at night knowing that my success is ruining the lives of others. When the government gets involved in our capitalistic system by writing grants, paying tuition's, etc, it does more damage than it does good. Remember benji, every dollar the gov spends has to be paid back eventually, we can't keep digging ourselves into debt or else that 2 mill you make off of smart boards won't be enough to buy a used Hyundai with 200k miles on it. Not my cup of tea

[benjispeer]

Hmm... Thanks for the clarification, I understand what you mean now. I see the problem in the business model as well, but the fact of the matter is, it is only a problem if you are not the one capitalizing on it. I don't believe it would keep me up at night personally. Maybe I'm mislead but in my opinion life is a game and there's always going to be winners and losers. I don't see limiting myself to being a loser simply because other "losers" are paying for me to be a winner. Not everyone can be successful entrepreneurs simply because successful entrepreneurs need good employees. With that said I applaud your honor when it comes to the subject of capitalizing on government "mistakes."

[Mike39]

Hmm... Thanks for the clarification, I understand what you mean now. I see the problem in the business model as well, but the fact of the matter is, it is only a problem if you are not the one capitalizing on it. I don't believe it would keep me up at night personally. Maybe I'm mislead but in my opinion life is a game and there's always going to be winners and losers. I don't see limiting myself to being a loser simply because other "losers" are paying for me to be a winner. Not everyone can be successful entrepreneurs simply because successful entrepreneurs need good employees. With that said I applaud your honor when it comes to the subject of capitalizing on government "mistakes."

I'm not saying its wrong necessarily, its how the system is designed and its your choice to indulge or not, I just would feel better/more accomplished if I knew I was actually adding value to someones lives or helping them solve a problem like 90% of companies do and in return making money

[Rain]

So this weekend I was out at the lake camping with my family and my uncle who owns several companies had some of his employees out with us. While we were talking one of the employees mentioned a "side hustle" he had going. He works for a company installing Smart Boards in classrooms across the state. He said that the company typically quotes a school for 10 grand a classroom. The most recent school district they did, they made 52 million dollars. This is ridiculous amounts of tax payer money being spent on a service that should NOT require that much. After seeing many stories like this I'm confident that the best business to be in is one that takes government money because they are so careless with it. Just thought I would share, and I'm looking forward to hearing yall's thoughts on this. For those of you who may not know what a smart board is... it's pretty much an interactive white board. The next generation black/white board I guess. SMART Education Products: Interactive Education Products - SMART Technologies

This is bad, but nothing compared to the for-profit colleges (i.e., University of Phoenix) that rake in tens of thousands of dollars of government/taxpayer money per "student." Billionaires have been created from this.

And let's not get started on everything else Uncle Scam likes wasting money on...

[AcquireCurrency]

I know and have heard of many people in the UK making alot of money abusing the healthcare system by selling ordinary goods with a very high markup.

[johnp]

This whole technology in the classroom happens to be a major focus of my start-up ,so it is a topic that I am very into. Here is my take on it.

I sat here for a good 10 minutes trying to think of a way to defend the Smart Board, but I can't haha. These things are pretty much useless especially in classes like philosophy, politics, and so on. We have these things all over the place at my University and they were rarely used. Teachers don't have the time to use them, and many professors are so bad with technology that they didn't even bother.

What you are seeing here is a major push for technology in the classroom. There has always been a push for this. I believe that there was a lot of hype when the actual first BlackBoard came out. People were talking about how it would flip edu upside down by creating a more engaging experience and all of that stuff. Same thing with the personal computer. This mentality has, and will always exist (until we get nailed by a major solar flare that turns out the lights).

I don't have much of an opinion about whether or not education is overpriced. My education was worth it, but only because I made it worth it. I definitely think that stupid crap like this stuff should be cut though. I know that some "no frills" schools are starting to pop-up here and there. I read somewhere about a college in Pa that is extremely cheap because it has no extra features. You go to class, then go home.

I think that it is great that someone found a way to capitalize on the SmartBoards.
Do they teach people how to use them? Because someone can probably start a company purely focused on that.


And don't forget. We are probably only seeing the early stages of this stuff. I imagine that they technology will be more advanced in the future. Which could be good or bad.

[andviv]

Teachers don't have the time to use them, and many professors are so bad with technology that they didn't even bother.
What you are seeing here is a major push for technology in the classroom

Well, I have a few things to comment about this, as education is one of my passions:

1. If you can provide smart boards for less, what is stopping you?
If you can build and install similar boards for, say, $1K or $2k a classroom, and make a profit, you would own the market in no time flat.

What is stopping you? [[very disappointed by the lack of entrepreneurship with this one, guys]]

2. I am part of the PTA. I know these, like many other things, are just resources. It depends a lot on the teacher and the kids to make them work.
See that picture of Runum?
The tank is a resource.
The PFD (personal floating device) is another resource.
The hat he is wearing? yup, another resource.
Same as the water (OMG, he is "wasting" water from school, and guess who pays for that water? bill? Us, taxpayers!!!!!)

I've seen teachers do amazing things with boards like this.

I've seen others simply ignore them.

Why aren't you, as a parent, pushing your kid's teachers to use the resources they have?

Why aren't you, Mr. or Mrs. Teacher, studying about tools and techniques that can make you more effective in what you do?

[[and trust me guys, this is not an attack on Runum, he and I are great friends and he knows this is not about him personally. And you should hear about the other projects he has done in previous years... it is incredible. Where were teachers like him when I was in school?]]

3. Tools. Resources.
As I said, I am part of the PTA. We recently approved a $2,500 purchase of something called Activotes. Google it.
In my opinion, it is a very good resource. But again, it requires that teachers put the time to learn how to use it and make the class better. Some have done so. Others simply ignore them

Same story with the iPads. All teachers wanted an iPad. We could not understand how it would enhance the kids' experience, so that was denied.

4. Teach the teacher. Train the trainer.
Are you familiar with these concepts?

For example, the Activotes, and the Smart Boards (and their main competitors) have class plans. Did you know that?

Lesson plans and resources for your SMART Board - SMART Exchange

Teachers simply can create a class session, record it, and then re-use it. Or share it.

For example, a 5th grade teacher could prepare a class about Scientific Method. And share it with his colleagues. In the meantime, another 5th grade teacher could prepare, save and share a class about geometry. See where I am going with this?

And yes, they do provide training. And free forums. And a repository of open source classes and topics prepared to be used by the teachers.

Now, I am not gonna pretend I know more that Mr. Runum about education. After all, he is the best teacher I've ever known (yup, we talk about things like this when we get together to share a beer, lunch or dinner). But I do participate where I can, in my kids' education. I believe it takes a lot to make education work. It is the parents, and then the kids, that make a difference. Teachers are important here.

Things can be enhanced by orders of magnitude by using tools.

But maybe we focus too much on the teachers and the tools, when we should be focusing more on the parents involvement.

That is how I see it.

And again, if you can provide something similar to Smart Boards for less money, what are you waiting for? you now have a valid business opportunity waiting for you. The market needs you. And you will make a killing.

[hatterasguy]

Oh yeah government cheese is the best kind. $52m is really small potato's compared to what contractors are sucking out of the Middle East wars.

[Mike39]

Road Repair and construction is another huge one

[mayana]

I've seen teachers do amazing things with boards like this.

At the school where my kids go, they have smart boards, but I don't think they are "useless" as many have described them here. Most of the students bring their tablet computers or smartphones and can interact with the smart board then and there. I think that the students enjoy the interaction (and whatever gets kids more involved is a good thing, I'd say).

As an aside, the taxpayers didn't pay for the smart boards at my kids' school... lol.

[johnp]

1. If you can provide smart boards for less, what is stopping you?
If you can build and install similar boards for, say, $1K or $2k a classroom, and make a profit, you would own the market in no time flat

.

I'm confused..you quoted me then made that statement. Are you asking me this question? Or is this a general statement? I personally think that it's a great money maker for a business and there is HUGE opportunity in this field (maybe apps for smart boards)? But from an engagement perspective, my comments reflect personal experience with these things in the social sciences at a University. But like I said, I think that they will be developed extensively in the future.

What is stopping you? [[very disappointed by the lack of entrepreneurship with this one, guys]]

Not sure if this is directed at me, but you quoted me so here it goes...everything is stopping me. I have no desire to make a smart board. But I am developing a smart system that will go beyond a little hunk of plastic that is attached to the wall of a classroom.

I have my own views of what can be good for technology in education. And I am setting out to accomplish my goals every day. The smart board is cool and all, but it doesn't even touch the surface of what is truly possible. The possibilities are huge it is only our imagine that limits us. I think that my dislike for the smart board lies in the fact that that we can engage students academically and socially in CHEAPER and more EFFECTIVE ways.

Other than that, I still would have loved to be the person who created it.

[Runum]

Now hold on...I never said they were useless. I, personally have not been impressed by them. I do use it, but not as much as other teachers. I would rather have more computers in my room than the smart board. I love leading the kids in independent research.

There is training available, seminars or online. We do save and share lessons. We use the Promethian brand and we do have activotes. I also have a Slate in my classroom where I can write on the board from anywhere in the room. It's a pretty cool tool.

I did see a technology inventory list for my classroom today. The invoice for the board in my room was about $1500.

I am sure I will learn more about the uses of the board as time goes by. I am open to learning new things and sharing with my kids. I also value involved parents like Andres.

[johnp]

Now hold on...I never said they were useless

I think that was me who said that. I was probably speaking too harsh.

But let me clarify... they can useless for some classes.

For instance, if my foreign policy teacher ever started trying to teach us about hegemonic stability theory on a smart board then it just wouldn't make sense. Just like it wouldn't make sense for a Philosophy teacher to teach about Plato on a smart board.

I'm sure it has a purpose for science, math, and others. So I think sometimes they are useless because they are not really maximizing anything and when they do enhance the classroom, it seems to be on a small level. So is the cost really worth it? I guess I shouldn't care..I'm done school for now.

[andviv]

Not sure if this is directed at me, but you quoted me so here it goes...everything is stopping me. I have no desire to make a smart board.

No, actually wasn't directed at you in particular.

I do want to see entrepreneurs that think can create a better or similar product to go for it.

This will really help society. Nothing beats providing the right tools to help our kids have a better future.

But I am developing a smart system that will go beyond a little hunk of plastic that is attached to the wall of a classroom.

Oh please do... I really want to see more progress in this area... as you said, it is in its infancy... I can't wait to see what the youngest kid will see in her lifetime.

Would you mind sharing more about your idea? (I understand if you don't want to as some people are worried about others taking their ideas)

I did see a technology inventory list for my classroom today. The invoice for the board in my room was about $1500.

That number sounds very reasonable to me.

But let me clarify... they can useless for some classes.

Well, that is true for everything... imagine a Lambo Murcielago to carry sheetrock and 4x4s to a construction site... see the point?

Or.... more relevant to the conversation, using Runum's water tank as a resource for a Social Studies class... unless he is teaching the kids about the benefits of taking a bath, I don't think it would fit.

I appreciate your comment recognizing the comment was too general.

[andviv]

I would rather have more computers in my room than the smart board. I love leading the kids in independent research.

OK, I am putting my money where my big mouth is...

I am officially requesting that you go to DonorsChoose.org: An online charity connecting you to classrooms in need and add a project requesting 2, 3 or 4 more computers for your classroom (do you have the space to put them?) so we here start a fundraiser to help you help more kids.

What do you say?

I am sure I will learn more about the uses of the board as time goes by. I am open to learning new things and sharing with my kids.

Oh I am sure. I know that for a fact. I am not kidding, you are the coolest teacher I've known. And you are not scared of technology.

For some reason I can see your kids sending a rocket to the ISS and making Elon Musk look like a newbie at this rocket science thing.