Top Five Tech Gadgets for the Classroom

Top Five Tech Gadget for the Classroom

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I presented at the Silicon Valley Computer Using Educators Teach Through Technology professional development today, so if you’re here by way of my “Best Tech Practices for Long Term English Language Learners” presentation…welcome!

The resources for my presentation can be found here. I talked about all of the ways I attempt to make sure my students are always speaking, listening, reading, and writing in the classroom. While preparing for today’s presentation, I realized that it would be good for me to share some of the gadgets I use in my classroom. I’m sharing my top five tech gadgets for my classroom. Let’s get started!

  1. USB Microphones, $22 each

These microphones are a fairly recent purchase, and I’m so glad I decided to buy them. The mics are great for

  • Chromebooks, laptops, and other computers
  • students to record audio (discussion questions, group talking, think alouds)
  • Vocaroo, screencasts, and any other audio recording site

2. Lapel Microphones, $6.50 for Three

I purchased these lapel mics nearly two years ago for my students to record screencasts and lessons they created using Explain Everything. See students’ work here. Lapel mics can be used with and for

3.  Android Tablet$54.99

This is another fairly new purchase. A parent and I are working with groups of girls to create apps for Technovation’s coding challenge. The girls use MIT’s App Inventor, and they need a way to test their apps. We received a grant from Philanthropic Ventures Foundation to purchase the devices, and I ended up purchasing two more for my classroom. Full disclosure: if you’re used to an iPad, it’ll take some time to get used to the tablet. But, hey! At $55 a pop, these little things aren’t too shabby. I’ve found them to be great for:

  • ScratchJr.
  • testing MIT App Inventor apps.
  • reading (ereaders/reading apps).
  • reading, writing, speaking, and listening centers for two to three students.

Click through to see the final two items!

4. Headphone Splitter$5.99 for a pair

These headphone splitters first came in handy two years ago when a teacher and I split an iPad cart. Use these headphone splitters

  • to allow students to work together.
  • share devices in a pinch.

5. Universal Tablet Mount$14 each

I’ve been using Do Ink’s Green screen app for nearly three years, and oh, how I love this mount. It screws on easily to a tripod and the tablets stay secure. Use the tablet mount to

  • allow students to record themselves (solo) or a group.
  • any video recording.

Aside from my Chromebooks, these five items get frequent use in the classroom, and I’ve dubbed them my classroom staples.

Please let me know your own experience with these products or if you can recommend other products by leaving a comment or sending me a tweet.

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