Effective technologies in a high school

There are many different digital technologies that make high school class and staff rooms’ effective learning environments. From video production to vodcasts, audio recording to podcasts, website creation, online collaboration with classrooms from around the world, staff intranet usage, and the world of animation and gaming the possibilities are endless. A broad spectrum of learning styles can be catered for using these technologies and high school students thrive through being able to actively engage with real tasks.

Having suitable video and audio recording equipment as well as the necessary editing software would greatly enhance high school classrooms. Digital natives thrive in these mediums and can be inspired to produce a high standard of work. Adequate connectivity would also be greatly beneficial. In small high schools libraries are often under resourced and having fast access to the wealth of online information is essential. Using online free software such as Skype and social networking site the capability to collaborate globally provides great learning opportunities for any class room.

Interactive whiteboards, a whiteboard that connects to a computer and a projector and a user can control the computer using a pen, finger or other device on the board (Wikipedia, 2008) , would also be hugely effective in high school classrooms. These whiteboards have the ability to facilitate many modes of media in one unit and are a very efficient way of bringing a range of educational materials to the classrooms.

There are many different digital technologies that would greatly benefit any classroom. As schools grow and technologies re more available the educational possibilities also grow. With a good range of appropriate technologies the only limit is imagination.

References

Betcher, Chris, 2008, 21st century learning, Betchablog, date viewed 28/08/08, URL: http://21stcenturylearning.wikispaces.com/Chris+Betcher

Dyck, Brenda, 2008, Using Web 2.0 Tools to Breathe New Life into Old Projects, Education world, date viewed 28/08/08, URL: http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/columnists/dyck/dyck026.shtml

Wikipedia contributors, 2008, Interactive whiteboard, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, date viewed 28/08/08, URL:http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Interactive_whiteboard&oldid=235807661.