I believe that when a technology is simple to use, then teachers will use it. Witness the Smartboard and the Document camera. Simple technologies can be powerful technologies. They do not require thousands of hours of professional development. They do not require long learning curves. Teachers “get it” and can use them. They can involve their students in that technology with minimal prep. I think that often we over look simple technologies like word processing, digital camera, document cameras, and smartboards. Let’s promote technologies that teachers can and will use instead of complex technologies that often require someone else to set things up like videoconferencing. Let’s focus on what teachers have in their classrooms!
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Great blog entry.
I am particularly interested in the use of document cameras (or visualisers as they are often referred) in education and there applications for supporting assessment. I believe a product that gives the ability to instantly share and discuss students work and also the ability to capture different stages of an individuals work is something which should be utilised more.
Please feel free to look at my blog http://visualiserforum.blogspot.com/ at some of the discussion on the use of document cameras in UK education.