𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤, 𝐏𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐠𝐞

…𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

By Lhendup Wangmo

As part of efforts to promote balanced regional development and ensure that schools in the eastern part of the country are equally equipped with modern facilities, Shumar Primary School, Yalang Primary School, Shali Primary School and Pemagatshel Middle Secondary School in Pemagatshel has introduced smart boards in its classrooms. The move aims to strengthen digital learning, enhance classroom engagement, and bridge the technological gap between rural and urban schools.

The introduction of smart boards is helping shift classroom teaching toward a more engaging and technology-based approach. These tools support interactive learning and make it easier for students to understand complex topics through visual and hands-on methods. In rural schools like those in Shumar gewog, the use of smart boards reflects efforts to bring digital learning into everyday lessons. By integrating ICT into education, it aims to provide equal learning opportunities for students in all parts of the country and prepare them for the demands of the modern world.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to promote balanced development and ensure that schools in the eastern region are not left behind in the country’s digital transformation.

The project was implemented with a budget of Nu 0.6 million, aimed at enhancing classroom engagement and supporting teachers with interactive teaching methods.

Gup Sonam Dendup, Shumar Gewog said that as the world moves towards digitalization, education has also come a long way. “The eastern part of the country has been left behind for a long time. We cannot afford to continue at the same pace compared to the western parts of the country,” he said. He added that initiatives like the introduction of smart boards are crucial for narrowing the gap and ensuring that students in the east are equally prepared for a digital future.

The school hopes that the use of smart boards will not only improve the quality of teaching but also encourage students to participate more actively in lessons, aligning with national goals of promoting ICT in education.

Tshering Norbu, Principal of Yalang Primary School, said that the introduction of smart boards has brought noticeable changes in both teaching and learning. According to him, smart boards make lessons more interactive and visual, helping students better understand complex topics. For teachers, the technology simplifies lesson delivery by offering access to a wide range of digital resources, allowing them to move beyond the traditional “chalk and talk” method.
However, the transition has not been without challenges. The school faced issues such as poor internet connectivity, limited technical knowledge among teachers, and a shortage of interactive boards, with budget constraints preventing the provision of a board in every classroom. Despite these hurdles, teachers have shown adaptability without formal training, they supported one another, learning how to use the boards collaboratively.

Tshering Norbu stated that teachers now plan their lessons to make use of the two available interactive boards by creating a shared schedule, ensuring that all classes and teachers get a chance to use the technology. He emphasized that the smart boards have proven useful across all subjects, making them a valuable addition in today’s digitalized learning environment.

To address concerns from the community, the school has been conducting awareness programs and organizing parent-teacher meetings to explain how technology enhances the teaching-learning process. He stressed that digital tools are used to deepen understanding, not distract students.

Looking ahead, the school has plans to improve internet connectivity, procure additional interactive boards so that each class has one, and expand the IT lab with more computers. They also hope to provide advanced digital pedagogy training for teachers as part of the upcoming five-year plan.

The school aims to assess the effectiveness of smart boards by monitoring student engagement, academic performance, teacher and student feedback, and regular classroom observations.

Sangay Lhendup, Principal of Shumar Primary School said that the introduction of smart boards has marked a new chapter in teaching and learning in their school. “This is the first time we have had smart boards under Shumar Gewog. Earlier, we only had a projector, but the smart board has made things much more convenient,” he said.

According to him, the upgrade has benefited both teachers and students. “Teachers feel more comfortable using the smart board- it allows them to plan and deliver lessons more effectively with multimedia support,” he explained. He added that for students, this advancement is timely. “We are in the 21st century, and our students need to be equipped with the skills and exposure that match the digital age,” he said. The school hopes that this is just the beginning of a larger shift toward modern, tech-enabled education that keeps pace with global standards.

Sonam Lhamo, a teacher who teaches Mathematics, English, and Science to students from PP to Class 6, shared that the teaching approach has evolved significantly since the introduction of smart boards. “Yes, the teaching method has changed over time, and there are many advantages to it,” she said.

According to her, the smart board has made lessons more engaging and interactive, especially for subjects like science, where visual explanations are key. “Science is the most preferable subject to teach using the smart board because students can actually see what we are talking about whether it’s parts of a plant, the solar system, or simple experiments,” she explained. Sonam Lhamo added that students are understanding concepts more clearly now, and their participation in class has improved noticeably. She believes that digital tools like smart boards are not just modern upgrades but essential aids for enhancing comprehension in young learners.

Chimi Darchap, an English and ICT teacher, shared his positive experience with the transition from traditional teaching tools to smart boards. He described the introduction of smart boards as a “very good idea” that aligns well with the changing landscape of education. “The transition to digital teaching is happening, and we must move with it. There are many advantages to using smart boards, especially in a subject like ICT,” he said.

Chimi added that having taught using whiteboards for more than three years, switching to smart boards has made his teaching more effective and comfortable. “Teaching ICT with a smart board is very comfortable because I can demonstrate everything on the screen whether it’s typing, coding basics, or navigating applications. Students understand faster when they can see things being done live,” he explained. According to him, integrating technology in the classroom is no longer optional but necessary to meet the learning needs of today’s students.

Tenzin Thinley Gyeltshen, a 10-year-old student studying in Class 4, said that he enjoys learning with the smart board because it makes lessons more visible and easier to understand. “Writing on the smart board is fun, and it also helps me improve my handwriting,” he said. Tenzin added that the clear visuals and colorful displays make it easier for him to learn new topics and remember them. He shared that using the smart board makes lessons more exciting and helps him stay more focused in class.

Jigme Norbu, a 10-year-old student, said that the smart board has made learning more exciting and easier to understand. “I enjoy using the smart board because I get to learn new things every day. It helps me learn very quickly, especially in science,” he said with a smile.

Jigme explained that seeing pictures, animations, and videos on the screen helps him remember concepts better than just reading from a textbook. He added that lessons are no longer boring, and he finds it fun to watch experiments or diagrams come to life on the screen. “Sometimes we even get to answer questions on the board, and that makes me feel more confident,” he said. For Jigme, the smart board has turned the classroom into a place of curiosity and discovery, where learning feels less like a task and more like an adventure.

Sonam Rinzin Lhamo, a 9-year-old student, shared her excitement about using the smart board in class. “I enjoy learning math, English, and science with the smart board. It shows big letters and colorful pictures, so I can see everything clearly,” she said. Sonam explained that the smart board helps her focus better in class and makes difficult topics easier to understand. She especially likes how teachers use the board to show videos and explain things step by step. “It’s fun and helps me learn faster,” she added. Like her classmates, she believes that learning has become more enjoyable since the smart board was introduced.

Yeshi Wangmo, also 9 years old, said she looks forward to smart board days because they make school feel fun. “I like solving math problems on the board and watching English stories. It’s like learning and playing at the same time,” she said. According to her, the smart board helps her stay focused and gives her more confidence when answering questions in class.

For these young learners, the smart board is more than just a screen it’s a window into a world of exciting, visual, and interactive education.