The PowerPoint presentation that the instructor reads from, the static content that no matter how pretty it is made leads to the same old snooze-fest, the use of “smart” technology to supplant solid teaching practices are what lead to student disengagement, not the technology itself. Students have a much better understanding of the cutting edge technology that excites them than the instructors and professors do.

As educators, we need to remember that “smart” classrooms in and of themselves do not equate with better teaching and learning practices. Technology does not automatically engage the student. Projecting a Word document onto a screen in a classroom equates with using technology in the classroom for many instructors, but not all. Some instructors and professors make quite interesting and engaging use of technology to build onto the classroom interaction and discussion. Using YouTube, Wiki’s, discussion boards, and other innovative and, some might say, unusual integrations of technology in the classroom serves to further engage the students.

The key to effective smart classrooms is to combine the technology with traditional modes of teaching and engaging students rather than allowing the technology to overtake solid pedagogical practices.