Training Center

SMART Certification Training FAQs

General questions

What is SMART Certification Training?

SMART Certification Training is designed to meet the needs of resellers or third-party trainers that provide in-depth training to customers on how to use SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards and SMART Notebook software. Participants will be certified to present a 90-minute, half-day and full-day SMART training session.

How is SMART Training Certification different from a SMART Train-the-Trainer session?

Our existing Train-the-Trainer program instructs your on-staff trainers on how to help others within your organization master the SMART Board™ interactive whiteboard. SMART Training Certification takes the Train-the-Trainer program to a higher level, with in-depth content analysis and role-playing practice based on the workshop materials. Once certified, a SMART Certified Trainer will be able to train others both inside and outside your organization.

How do I become a SMART Certified Trainer and where do I go?

You can attend one of our upcoming SMART Certification Training events offered in various cities across North America, or we can come to your location.

How much does a SMART Certification Training event cost?

For pricing, e-mail training@smarttech.com or please call (toll free) 1.866.518.6791 or +1.403.228.5940.

Is there special pricing for education?

No. Education customers wanting to certify three or more people can arrange for a SMART employed trainer to deliver the SMART Certification Training session at their location. The price of the SMART Certification Training package is designed to keep these costs down.

What does the price include?

The price includes the following:

How long is each session?

A typical day will go from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a one-hour break for lunch and several breaks in the morning and in the afternoon.

How many participants will there be?

Each session is designed to accommodate approximately 15 participants for SMART Certification Training. SMART reserves the right to reschedule an event if fewer than 15 people register per session.

Who should be attending?

SMART Certification Training is for anyone who wants to present up to a full-day session on how to use SMART Board interactive whiteboards with SMART Notebook software.

What if I train on a Macintosh computer?

SMART Training Certification is available for Macintosh computer users. You may attend a scheduled event or speak to our training coordinators at 1.866.518.6791 or +1.403.228.5940 to arrange for on-site SMART Training Certification delivered on the Macintosh operating system.

Does SMART refer customers to SMART Certified Trainers?

Yes. SMART will refer people to its website, which lists all SMART Certified Trainers.

Am I allowed to give certificates to people that I train?

Yes. You can create your own certificates stating that participants attended a SMART training session. If you choose to purchase production-quality SMART Board interactive whiteboard learner workbooks, you will also receive our completion certificates.

Post-certification questions

What is the time frame for taking the test on SMART's Learning Management System?

Candidates are given 4 months from the time they completed the Pre-Certification Activity to completing the test on the Learning Management System.

What happens if a candidate completes the test on SMART's Learning Management System but is not successful in reaching the passing grade of 75%?
  1. If candidates are not successful on their first attempt, they will be able to retake the test 2 additional times.
  2. If candidates are not successful after 3 attempts, they are welcome to join an upcoming SMART Training Certification free of charge for all three days.
Will this change apply to all SMART Training Certifications? (I.e. Senteo™ interactive response system, SMART Ideas™ software, SMART Sync 2009, etc)

Yes, a test on SMART's Learning Management System will be available for each of our SMART Training Certification offerings.

If someone attended SMART Training Certification for version 10 at any point in the last year, can they take the test on SMART's Learning Management System?

Candidates who have not submitted their video assignment for version 10 at this point may complete the test on SMART's Learning Management System and must receive a passing grade of 75%. This is applicable to persons who attended prior to Jan 23rd, 2009.

Would video assignments still be accepted from candidates who already attended SMART Training Certification, will they have a choice?

Candidates who have not submitted a video assignment are welcome to access the test on SMART's Learning Management System.

Note: if a video assignment has been submitted, it will be used for the evaluation and the option to take the test on SMART's Learning Management System will not be available.

If a video assignment has not been approved, what are the next steps?

Candidates who have not been approved will be provided with feedback and will be asked to re-submit a second assignment. The ability to take the test on SMART's Learning Management System will not be available to these candidates.

How does someone become certified on both the Windows and Macintosh operating systems?

Each SMART Certified Trainer that has been approved on either the Windows or Macintosh operating system will have access to a test on the alternate operating system.

What kinds of questions are included in the test on SMART's Learning Management System?

The question set will include a wide variety of test questions based on methodology and content. The test questions will also include situational and concrete question types laid out in a variety of formats (i.e. multiple choice, multiple answers, ordering, Yes/No, etc)

How will a SMART Certified Trainer candidate, get feedback to improve their skills during SMART's Training Certification?
  1. By attending the full training on the offering one is exposed to the training methodology applied within a real-world environment.
  2. The certification portion of the training includes time to re-deliver with specific feedback on how Candidates can improve their skill set
  3. A rubric outlining key performance parameters will be used by the training specialist
  4. Each candidate within the session will receive an instruction sheet outlining what elements they have effectively applied in their redelivery with coaching on what elements need improvement in order to better serve the needs of their audience.
Would a candidate be allowed to attempt the test prior to attending SMART Training Certification?

All candidates must attend the entire SMART Training Certification prior to taking the test. A contract will not be provided to those candidates who have not attended the live training.

Can someone who has the knowledge and experience with SMART's products, challenge the test and, be certified without attending the 3 day event?

There are several reasons why this would not be an option, it is essential for candidates to observe how the training is to be delivered:

  • this exposes candidates to the pedagogy and andragogy employed
  • candidates learn to utilize SMART's standards and techniques for example play by play and use of "whys"
  • we need to have instructor led sessions including opportunities for candidate presentations to ensure SMART would be properly represented
  • a lot of knowledgeable candidates are accustomed doing demonstration type delivery as opposed to actual training

Knowledge of a product does not equal an understanding and ability to effectively apply SMART's training methodology in a training environment. The training is not only addressing exposure but application and practice.

Given this change to the approval process to become a SMART Certified Trainer, why would a potential SMART Certified Trainer, want to attend the 3 days of training?

Key requirements to becoming a SMART Certified Trainer include both in-depth knowledge and ability to apply the methodology.

SMART's Training Certification for any of our offerings includes a focus on both methodology and content. Attendees also gain a greater understanding of the order and flow that they would apply in their delivery.

The final day of SMART Training Certification includes an opportunity to learn and apply the methodology in a practice environment which prepares the candidate to effectively train their customers.

The Learning Management System test includes questions that are situational and based on methodology.

Are there maintenance requirements after someone becomes certified?

To maintain their certification a SMART Certified Trainer will be required to attend an annual recertification process that will be delivered through SMART's Learning Management System or face-to-face as deemed appropriate by SMART's Training Services.

All other elements of responsibilities are handled in the SMART Certified Trainer agreement which each successful candidate signs and returns before being granted access to the resources necessary to effectively deliver training.

How does a SMART Certified Trainer, obtain information and feedback to continue improving their skills and ensure they exceed the needs of their audience?

We highly recommend that trainers collect feedback from all of their training sessions. This feedback can assist in developing their skills and provide a better understanding of the needs of their audience. There is a feedback form included in the Learner Workbook.

How long does SMART Training Certification last?

Each year all SCTs will be required to take a test in the LMS to maintain their certification. At SMART's discretion, you may be expected to attend online recertification for any minor releases (e.g., version 10.1). A face-to-face recertification may be required for major releases of the software.

Where will I get my materials and certificates?

You can print materials and certificates for your sessions from the trainer resource website or purchase production-quality Learner Workbooks from SMART. Updated materials will be provided on an ongoing basis, and more details will be given after you have successfully completed the post-certification requirements.

Who would assist if there are further inquiries?

Please contact certification@smarttech.com or call SMART's Training Services toll-free at 1.866.518.6791 or +1.403.228.5940 and ask for Training Services or the Certification Coordinator. Any one of our excellent team members will be happy to assist you.

Registration and payment questions

How can I order an on-site session or register for a SMART Certification Training event?

Register for one of the Notebook software Certification events using our online Learning Management System. Please note that this event accepts credit card payment only.

Event-specific questions

Is lunch provided?

Light refreshments will be available throughout the day, but no lunch is provided.

What time do I need to be there to sign in?

Please arrive by 8:45 a.m. to check in because the session begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. In fairness to all attendees, anyone arriving after 9:30 a.m. will not be admitted to the session.

What is the cancellation policy?

To cancel, please contact SMART Technologies Inc. at least 10 business days prior to the scheduled event, and you will receive a 100 percent refund. If you cancel fewer than 10 business days prior to the event, you will forfeit the session fee; however, you may apply this fee to another SMART Certification Training event held within one year of the original cancelled session, provided that you register on or before the new event's registration deadline.*

*In making this option available, SMART Technologies Inc. neither represents the occurrence of subsequent SMART Certification Training events within the year, nor asserts that any ensuing SMART Master's events will be held in your region.

What if I just don't show up?

No refund is available to participants who do not show up for their registered session and do not notify SMART in advance.

How do I make changes once I have registered?

To make changes to your registration, e-mail training@smarttech.com or call 1.866.518.6791 or +1.403.228.5940, and ask to speak to a training coordinator.