Use of SMART Boards in the Teaching–Learning Process in Junior Secondary Classrooms

Secondary and tertiary education in Sri Lanka is rapidly evolving, with increasing emphasis on integrating technology into classroom teaching–learning processes. Classrooms are becoming more learner-friendly through the use of innovative methods and technological tools. One such widely used technological tool in contemporary classrooms is the SMART Board. This study investigates the use of SMART Boards in junior secondary classrooms in Sri Lanka, with the aim of exploring how teachers use SMART Boards in the teaching–learning process and how SMART Boards contribute as a technological tool to enhance teaching and learning. The study adopted a qualitative research design using an analytical case study approach. A purposive sample was selected from a national school in the Sri Jayewardenepura Education Zone of the Western Province. The sample comprised 150 Grade 8 students from five parallel classrooms equipped with SMART Boards and seven teachers. Data were collected through classroom observations and interviews and were analysed thematically. The findings reveal that both teachers and students show a positive attitude towards the use of SMART Boards for enhancing the teaching–learning process. Although teachers demonstrate a willingness to innovate when provided with training, challenges arise due to limited facilities and infrastructural support provided by the school. The study further indicates that SMART Boards offer significant benefits to students’ learning by facilitating interactive and digitally enriched lessons. They enable students to actively participate in lessons and engage visually with learning materials. While teachers have the ability to integrate multimedia resources, the findings highlight limited creativity and a lack of diversity in instructional materials. Additionally, challenges such as technical issues, communication barriers, a shortage of trained teachers, and underutilization of creative digital resources were identified as factors affecting the effective use and educational value of SMART Boards.