ELMO Projector

Is it necessary to have an ELMO in the classroom?

No, not THAT Elmo.
An ELMO projector.

ELMO projectors are projection systems that have a camera above an area where you can set anything you'd like and it is shown on the screen. It's much like a regular overhead projector, except a clear slide is not needed. You can put your paper straight under the camera, instead of having to convert it to a clear slide.

Just like the SMART board, ELMO is a name given to these special projectors by a certain company but the name's so catchy it stuck.

ELMO's are very handy. But are they worth the money?

Most ELMO's seem to cost right around $1,000. But they are very helpful on anything a teacher would want to show: books, papers, pictures, assignments, you name it! They could also help with student's presentations and speeches as well.

So I say yes to the ELMO as long as it is in your budget. If it's not, I wouldn't say it's quite a necessity. Overhead projectors are nice too, and do the very basics of what an ELMO can.

For more details about an ELMO projector, click here.

Image Sources in order of appearance: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cdharrison/247426469/, Flikr.com: Boonerator

Cell Phones in Classrooms?

In one of our recent lectures, we were told to take a survey. However, this survey was not on a piece of paper, nor was it online. This survey we took part in was through texting. We were to text a certain number a code that correlated with our answer. Then on a website we were able to view the results instantly. This is one handy reason for allowing cell phones in the classroom. Along with this, students could also use their cell phones for a variety of things. Most cell phones have access to a calculator, so rather than bringing their phone, (which we know will most likely be there whether or not they are “allowed”) AND a calculator, it would be much easier to just have it built into one. With this, cell phones obviously provide collaboration. There are many activities that could be presented in classrooms that involve calling or texting one another.

However, we all know the downfalls with allowing cell phones in classrooms. There is the obvious risk of students cheating on tests. They could be using their “calculator” on their phone while really texting their neighbor for an answer. Cell phones are also a huge distraction. Texting seems to be going on constantly anywhere you go. So would this take away the amount that students listen in class significantly?

So the question is, should cell phones be allowed in classrooms? Or, what about under certain circumstances? For example, should they be allowed at a certain age or for certain projects and not on test days? With our evolving technology, this issue may become more of a problem with more advanced phones. Having defined rules may or may not make cell phones in classrooms a possibility.

To hear other opinions and points that I haven't touched on, click here.

Image Source: Flikr.com

SMART Boards

Smart boards, or Interactive White Boards (IWB) are devices involving a computer and video display that are being used in both classrooms and businesses today. The board is touch sensitive, and by use of touch controls the computer.
They are commonly called Smart Boards, but Interactive White Boards is their proper name. SMART is one company that manufactures them, however there are many others.

Why use IWB's in classrooms?
promotes collaboration
involves drawing
encourages interaction
involves technology

Here is a video to inform you a little more about SMART boards.





For more information about SMART boards, visit smartboards.com.


Image Source: gaetc-ejournal.org
Video Source: youtube.com

Laptops in Elementary Classrooms

As our society becomes more and more technologically advanced, so do our kids! Over the last few years, children have started to use computers as soon (or even slightly before) they can read. So, this proposes a question: Should laptops be allowed in Elementary Classrooms? Here are a few pros and cons I have come up with, along with some restrictions:

Pros:

• Become familiar with a computer at an early age
• May promote creativity
• Promotes collaboration
• Introduces new learning tools

Cons:

• May be distracting
• May not be responsible enough yet
• Could come across inappropriate things
• May take away from traditional media

Restrictions:

• Certain age (Older than 4th or 5th grade?)
• Parent control on websites
• Children's laptops could be used
• No internet in classrooom
• Teacher patrolling- making sure children are on task

Laptops or not? You decide!

Image source: images.google.com