Just kind of curious.... We're getting quite a bit of technology in LBMS rooms thanks to the STEM grant. Every room will have a ceiling mounted projector that's connected to the web, to your S drive, to the network. Every room might get some interactive equipment - perhaps like the 3 Interwrites we now have.
My question to you is this: What are your thoughts if we could add cable television to every room? How would you use it instructionally in your classroom? Would it distract from learning? Do you think some teachers would abuse the privelege of the service?
Note: The cable companies must provide free service to schools
Article -About Cable in the classroom from ericdigests
Also - Cable in the classroom
15 comments:
cable would be great, but not a priority. A bigger question would be - along with the in-focus projectors, will we be getting speakers (not the ones on our computers)?
The opportunities for Band and orchestra to have this new technology would be fantastic. The use of recordings, and videos to supplement band would be utilized Lessons with a variety of uses to incorporate the music profession, audio recording, composition, rhythm studies, etc would offer an avenue to the students that are not explored at this time. Interdisciplinary units could be built with the knowledge the music room is equipt for the application.
If other classes needed the larger space to conduct a class- the bandroom should be outfit with the new technology to offer that option. It would NOT be a distraction to my class.
I personally do not think there is any value to it. I would rather see the money put elsewhere.
I'm so looking forward to being able to show video clips for foreign language class without having to drag a giant tv all over the school. Cable is not a priority at this time.
Not sure how much having cable television would help me. I'd love to watch Sportscenter and the Price is Right, but not sure of the educational value of that.
Another school system has the ability to DVR shows from a central location and then a classroom teacher can access them. That is what we need to have, DVR, then we can record shows and show them when we want.
Cable TV would only work for me if we had a DVR system. What I’d really, really like is a large flat screen TV. In a perfect world, Language Arts classes, at least, would have a class set of working lap top computers. Just dreaming.
Nancy
There have been an abundance of programs on the history channel and the discovery channel that pertain to what I am teaching presently, as well as, introduction to what will be taught. This alone would be helpful to me. The cost savings because I wouldn’t need to buy the video would be good too. Further NASA broadcasts the ISS activities which relates to what we are doing. These are just some of the areas that would relate to my topic of astronomy and chemistry.
For a serious answer, I don’t feel that as a math teacher I would use cable TV as a tool in the classroom. The other interactive equipment would be of more use.
I don't have cable at home, so I'm not up on what's available on cable and whether there would be enough value in it for me in Language Arts to warrant the expense, but I like bee's idea about DVRs saved and available for when you need them. I currently tape (since I have a VCR on my classroom TV) programs that are relevant (usually PBS) to topics in my classroom.
If it isn't expensive, go for it. I don't know how it would distract from learning, since it would provide another tool to present information in a visual way.
I remember being in the computer lab on 9/11. Some things were coming in over the web, but not much.
I remember running around frantically trying to get a TV up and running - and couldn't. The one and only rabbit ears didn't work either. It was disheartening
As far as technolgy options are concerned, I prescribe to "the-more-the-merrier" approach. If it is a cost-effective move, why not get it. However, if it is expensive or it hinders us from geeting something more useful, then I'd say the DVR option would be better.
I agree with Bee, although cable in the classroom would be wonderful, many useful things for Language Arts on A&E; History Channel and even TMC....but the DVR idea is outstanding. Also, making sure we have the basics to support technology....like all working electrical outlets.
Cable has some wonderful shows that I could use in the classroom, but I wouldn't be able to use it in all six classes without some sort of recording ability.
A couple notes: Cable would be FREE. It would not take away from the STEM grant money. But...this might be a great time to get it hooked up since they will be up in the ceilings anyway.
Through the STEM grant we will be putting projectors in every classroom. You'll be able to project any of your Word documents, mess with Excel, show PowerPoints, go to the web, and more. The TV carts would almost be useless at this point - so the VCR's and DVD's on those could be diverted to your rooms, allowing you to 'record' content from cable.
It would be cool.
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