Thing #5

While exploring RSS and Google Reader, I chose to add an Education bundle of sites from which I would like to receive updates. One of them has to do with Technology in the Classroom. I chose this subject because I frequently feel like my knowledge and/or application of technology in an educational environment is never adequate. Could be the high speed of change in both areas, or so it seems. I received an update on Essential Classroom Technologies by Henry Thiele. I was pleased at his simple, non-technological response that even I could understand. The three things he recommends are a computer of some sort, preferably powerful enough to allow the "world into the classroom." Next was a projector which allows for one computer to be used to show information to the entire class. Last was some type of audio equipment to allow projection of sound to a classroom, his recommendation was a set of speakers. The lone comment posted so far debated this stating that it was just as, or more important, to have a microphone and recording capability. I enjoyed reading this post since it was simple enough for me to understand and it validated the fact that at our school we are in possession of and using at least the essential technology tools in our classrooms. I know that feeling of validation won't last but a second longer, so I will end this post and go back to Google Reader to see what technological challenges for the classroom pop up next.