CHARLESTON - It looks something like a drawing board the size of a big-screen TV, and it can be used as both.

The difference is that third graders can put their fingers on the board to "drag" their names under their choice for what they want for lunch, much as they would with a mouse while using a computer. They also can change a program on the human body so it shows internal organs or the skeletal system, again with a touch of their fingers.

And one day last week, students at Carl Sandburg Elementary School used the technology known as SMARTBoards to create a chart on "Sports That Our Class Likes," with the program letting them choose the number of columns and which sports to include.

"They're a great piece of interactive technology," teacher Lou Conwell said. "It lets the kids be in charge, and they're motivated by learning."

Carl Sandburg has had SMARTBoards in four of its classrooms since the first of the school year. Conwell received a $10,000 grant from the school district's Excellence in Education Foundation to purchase the equipment. Third-grade teachers Suzie Bosler, Gary Francis and Kathy Miller also have SMARTBoards in their classrooms.

Conwell said she thought of applying for a grant for the SMARTBoards because she knew they would help students who are visual learners and who are used to technology being a big part of their lives.

"We knew this would benefit children," she said. "They've never known life without this technology. This is the way they learn."

The Excellence in Education Foundation receives funding from a Consolidated Communications program and then awards grants for equipment or programs the district doesn't fund itself. Teachers had until Friday to submit applications for grants to be awarded for the 2008-09 school year, and the recipients will be announced at a later date.

Foundation board member Tori Wilson attended a demonstration of the SMARTBoards and said she was impressed by how they offer another learning opportunity and how they help with morale and motivation for both students and teachers.

"It was just a dynamic experience," Wilson said. "I think it takes learning to another level."

The application for the SMARTBoards fit well with what the foundation tries to do, Wilson explained, as the group likes to fund projects that help more than one group of students and will be used from year to year.

"We want to see how much of an impact the learning opportunity is going to have with the kids," she said. "We like to see benefits like this."

Conwell said the SMARTBoards have inspired teachers to do new things or do things in a different way "just because it's fun." Using the equipment helps prepare lessons and makes the work take less time, she said.

"It's been motivating for the teachers as well," she said. "It's certainly more intriguing for the kids."

Dave Fopay can be reached at dfopay@jg-tc.com or 348-5733.