Are Smart Boards SMART?

First, what in the world is a Smartboard? If you don’t know… according to Wikipedia, a Smartboard or interactive whiteboard is a large, touch-controlled screen that works with a projector and a computer. The projector throws the computer’s desktop image onto the interactive whiteboard (usually in the front of a room), which acts as both a monitor and an input device. Users can write on the interactive whiteboard in digital ink or use a finger to control computer applications by pointing, clicking and dragging, just as with a desktop mouse…
Now that you know a bit about this new technology, I refer back to my original question. Are Smart Boards smart? Maybe yes… and maybe no!
There is no doubt that this colorful-board technology rocks for educational uses. You can have students come up to a board in front of a class, and by using his or her fingers, can interact with a board to discuss many “hands-on” topics for a fun activity. But where the boards fall short — is in the depth of your pockets. You see, Smart Boards are VERY expensive to purchase for your average K12 School. They cost about $1,200 to $3,000 per unit, and that is not including the cost you will need to have a fast computer to run a board, and you also will need a current projector to show the image onto a screen.