The Alternative Press

While it isn’t quite attracting the same village-wide attention that Motel the tailor’s first sewing machine received in Fiddler on the Roof , for the new SMART Table® interactive learning center at the Early School of Temple B’nai Abraham, one touch is never enough..  SMART Table is the first multi-touch, multiuser interactive learning center that allows groups of early education students to work simultaneously on one surface. Young students are drawn to the surface of this new educational tool, where work and play come seamlessly together. The table’s interface is so intuitive that even the young students can start using it with little instruction.

Debbie Aronson Ziering, Director of Early Childhood Education noted, “Children (and their parents) today expect technology to be part of their lives, and the students approach this educational tool with a natural curiosity and eagerness to incorporate it in to their activities. Thank you  to the Early School Parents’ Council who generously supported this project.” She continues, "Designed, with its 360 degree surface, to stimulate collaboration among preschoolers,  it includes learning applications that enable students to work together  in groups of two to eight students) on a problem and then come to a consensus before giving their answer. The SMART Table adds another creative way to enhance our students’ social and cognitive development.” .

Additionally, the activities help children learn age-appropriate skills, such as reading and counting, through collaboration and critical thinking.  Students are prompted and congratulated with sound and graphic cues as they learn to work as a team.

Making storytelling a collaborative, creative and interactive experience, Director Aronson Ziering  is shown with Early School students who are each contributing components of the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar to complete the story.

For information regarding Early School programs, please contact Debbie Aronson Ziering, Director at 973-994-7016 or dziering@tbanj.org.  ES Programs are open to non-members. Visit www.tbanj.org/the-early-school.