School Technology Discussion

My school was assigned a new principal this year. He and I have chatted several times about what technology is in the building. He came from a technology rich high school. As he has walked our building, he has been surprised at the lack of technology many classrooms.

I was tasked to provide my principal with ideas on what technologies we should add at our building. Currently, there are two classrooms that are very technology rich. Many classrooms do not have more than a teacher computer in the classroom. I turned to my Twitter PLN and asked:

“PLN Help! 2 rooms @ school R tech rich. Principal just asked what 2 add 2 other rooms 2 benefit students. I need ideas PLZ”

These are the results of suggestions I received in response to this request:

1:1 laptops
Classroom amplified sound systems
Classroom LCD Projectors
Digital Data Collection Devices
Document Cameras
Flip Cameras
Individual Response devices
Interactive WhiteBoards
iPod touch devices
Laptops
Microscope attachments
Opaque Projector
Podcasting equipment
Qomo wireless tablets
Video Cameras
Video Conferencing
Virtual Technology
Web cameras
Workstations

The suggestions have been given to my principal. I believe he will review these suggestions and proceed in looking for funding sources. My understanding is that he will then approach teachers and give them possible choices.

An item that is NOT included in this discussion is the number of teachers who lack training on how to use technology effectively. I’m thinking I may be asked to help with technology training after school for any technologies we obtain.