A decade-long technology implementation program at Dante Alighieri School in São Paulo,  Brazil is helping teachers increase student interest, participation and performance.  Located in the center of Brazil’s largest city, this K-12 school is committed to using technology to prepare its 4,000 students for the future. “As an innovative school, we knew we needed technology inside the classroom, because it is part of our students’ world and their culture,” says Valdenice Minatel, Educational Technology Coordinator.

The school’s implementation plan started in 2002 with one SMART Board® interactive whiteboard. Today, the school has over 130 – one in each of its 115 classrooms and the remainder in computer labs, science labs and music rooms. School administrators expanded the implementation plan after they evaluated the results and noticed an increase in student engagement and performance.

SMART Notebook software adds life to interactive learning

Teachers at Dante Alighieri School use SMART Notebook™ collaborative learning software to create and manage interactive lessons – in fact, the software was the reason the school initially chose SMART products. “We need to have excellent software to give life to the interactive whiteboard. SMART Notebook software has tools and solutions that really make the difference in classrooms. And that is why we chose SMART products for our implementation,” explains Minatel.

The school also uses Bridgit® conferencing software, has 100 licenses for SMART Sync™ classroom management software and two SMART Podium™ interactive pen displays. School administrators say the implementation of SMART products has increased collaboration among teachers and students, and it has enhanced learning by bringing interactive lessons to classrooms.

Training and professional development help teachers adapt to new technology

Dante Alighieri School provided teachers with training throughout the implementation, showing them how to use the SMART Board interactive whiteboard’s features and how to get the most from SMART Notebook software. The school’s technology department continues to offer teachers weekly training sessions, as well as ongoing professional development. “Schools that have decided to use interactive whiteboards can never stop training teachers. The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is not just a piece of technology, it is a teaching tool that supports pedagogy,” says Minatel.

To further support its implementation, Dante Alighieri established an education technology department. Minatel says the department helps teachers by providing lesson creation training, responding to questions about SMART products and resolving any technical issues. “It’s important for us to pay attention to what the teachers are saying and what they need. They are the ones who are really in touch with our SMART products and know how they are working, and this is the key to the success of the project.”

Dante Alighieri named Brazil’s first SMART Showcase School

Dante Alighieri was the first school in Brazil to earn the SMART Showcase School designation, recognizing its success in transforming classrooms and improving learning outcomes with SMART products. “We want to prepare our students for life. When they leave school, they will have many challenges and they need to be ready to solve them, says Minatel.

To learn more about Dante Alighieri School’s experience with SMART products, visit SMART’s website.

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Dante Alighieri Named First SMART Showcase School in Brazil