SMART Technologies' SMART Exchange Offers Online Community for Teachers

This past December, SMART Technologies launched SMART Exchange, a new online community to help educators around the world share information, connect with colleagues and collaborate on various topics, regardless of distance or time zones.

The community has become wildly popular among educators with an average of 1,500 new members and 300 new posts every month. Members have downloaded 10,000 pieces of content and resources since the initial launch.

SMART Exchange brings dozens of existing SMART communities together, connecting educators, product users and in-house subject experts.

“I think that sometimes it is difficult for us to think outside ourselves,” says Sandy Armstong, Instructional Technology Coach at the Auburn Early Education Center in Alabama and a longtime user of SMART products. “By sharing ideas via SMART Exchange, many of us will find completely different avenues to teach the same thing and we will open our perspectives to new and innovative ideas.”

SMART Exchange goes beyond a text-based forum and gives members access to an events calendar, photo gallery and resource downloads. The community provides a central space for sharing teaching ideas and best practices, posting tips and connecting with SMART experts. It also offers a variety of tools, information and resources that teachers can use to create engaging and interactive lesson activities.

“Community and social networks are growing in popularity for teachers and administrators around the world,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “SMART Exchange caters to this growing interest by offering up-to-date information and resources and the option to connect directly with subject matter experts and educators at any time.”

Features and resources will be continually updated and added so members are assured they have the latest information at their fingertips. SMART Exchange allows teachers to stay up to date with RSS feeds on selected topics and key word tags to help find specific content. It also offers membership badges to add to personal blogs or Web sites.

SMART Exchange replaces SMART’s previously offered Bulletin Board. The online community is available at no cost, and educators can register by visiting SMART Exchange at www.exchange.smarttech.com.

For more information, visit www.smarttech.com.