1. Introduction
Wayne County High School is a new school, opened in the fall of 2002. As a result, it has a lot of
technology already available in the media center and in several classrooms. For example, every 9th
grade Academy teacher, Social Studies teacher, Science teacher, and Math teacher has an LCD
projector and screen in his or her room. And they are in the process of making this a reality in the
Language Arts classrooms as well. There are also three operational computer labs, and several
computers available for student use in the media center. The computer labs and the media center all
each have an LCD screen and projector available for teacher use, also. All teachers have access to
overhead projectors, which can be checked out from the media center. Though there are not enough
overheads for every teacher to have every day, there is never an issue with “not being able to get
one.” Supply exceeds demand in this case. Also, every teacher has a television mounted in her
room, with a VCR. DVD players are available for checkout in the media center. Overall, the school is
very well supplied with technology. However, there are still needs.
I surveyed one teacher from each of the content areas in the school, and included a teacher from the
ninth grade academy, inclusion teacher, media specialist, and administrator. These surveys were
administered through email to find overall needs for new technology. I also interviewed one student
from each grade level to see what they wanted most from the technology in the school. As a result of
the surveys, I have created a prioritized list of the new technology needed.
Prioritized List of Technology Items
1. Classroom Response System
The media specialist, several teachers, and students felt that a classroom response system
would enhance instruction in their classrooms. The media specialist loved how interactive and
technology-based this system is. She also loved how it could be used for very diverse
purposes. Classroom teachers loved the way it provided a kinesthetic approach to learning
and thought it would work great with the learning focused components they implement in their
classrooms. And the students thought it would be “fun.” And anytime learning can be made
fun, the students say they are interested.
2. Read Aloud Software
This software was mentioned by the inclusion teacher, regular classroom teachers, and the
media specialist. Several students at the high school require that material be read aloud to
them. This modification is included in their IEPs and is essential for their success. Often times
Special Education teachers have to be pulled from their classes to read tests, assignments, or
class reading aloud to these students. The read aloud software would prevent this “pulling” of
teachers from their own classes, while still meeting modifications required through IEPs.
Because of the large number of students that require this modification, this software would be
of upmost importance.
3. MP3 Players with headsets
These would be necessary for the read aloud software. The software converts written text to
spoken word either through mp3 or CD format. These MP3 players and headsets provide
“listening centers” for students who need this modification. The centers are mobile, so they
could be used in the back corner of a classroom, in the media center, or in a teacher
2. workroom. That way, students can hear the test, assignment, or class reading be read aloud,
without interrupting the rest of the class as they work silently.
4. Scanners
Though a couple of teachers mentioned how useful scanners would be, this was primarily a
main focus of the students. They expressed the need to scan pictures for assignments, and
there is no scanner at the school that is available for student use. These could be placed in
the media center and the three computer labs for easy student use.
Classroom Response System
Specifications:
- At least 30 controllers because of large class sizes
- Wireless Remotes
- Windows Compatible
State Contract
Item Product Company Picture Price Availability
Specifications
Senteo -Wireless Remotes Learning Services $1,999.00
Interactive -Windows or Mac
http://www.learningservicesus.co
Response Compatible
m/home/ls1/page_4216/senteo_i
System -Automatic Tallying nteractive_response_system_res
of Responses ponse_system.html
-Responses
transmitted to
Receiver
-Responses
projected on screen
-1 central receiver
-32 handheld
controllers with
screens
GTCO -Wireless Remotes AV Superstore $2,278.00
InterWrite -Mac or Windows
http://www.avsuperstore.com/mor
PRS Compatible
einfo.cfm/GTCO.InterWrite/PRS
Personal -Numerical %2032%20Class%20Pack
Response Keypads
System -32 handheld
controllers
-1 central receiver
-Responses directly
transmitted to
receiver
3. eInstruction -Wireless Remotes Touchboards $3,955.00
Classroom -Automatic Tallying
Performance http://www.touchboards.com/eins
of Responses
System truction/einstruction_overview.as
-Results exported p
to various computer
programs
-Windows or Mac
Compatible
-1 central receiver
-32 handheld
controllers
-
Read Aloud Software
Specifications:
- Windows Compatible
- Able to be converted to MP3 to be listened to on portable player
- Converts written text to auditory words
State
Item Product Company Picture Price Contract
Specifications Availability
Read -Microsoft Read Please $49.95
Please Vista
Plus Compatible http://www.readplease.com/english/pr
oducts/
2003 -Reads
emoticons
-Adjustable
Voice Speed
-Highlights text
while reading
Natural -Converts any Natural Soft $99.50
Soft Prof. written text to
Version 7 spoken words http://www.naturalreaders.com/
-Converts to
MP3 and WAV
files
-Toolbar can
be added in
Microsoft Professional
Applications Version 7
-Change
speaker and
speed
Text -Converts text Next Up $29.95
Aloud 2 into spoken
audio http://sites.fastspring.com/nextup/pro
duct/textaloud?option=mc
-Coverts to
MP3 or WMA
files
4. -Downloadable
voice options
-Windows
Compatible
-Control Speed
and Pitch of
voices
TextAloud
MP3 Players with Headsets
Specifications:
- Must play MP3s
- Should Multiple Headsets
- Should be Portable
State Contract
Item Product Company Picture Price Availability
Specifications
Califone -Four headsets Cousin’s Video $156.90
8104 -MP3 Player
http://store.cousinsvideo.com/cal-
Classroom -Dual Headphone
8104.html
Listening Jacks
Center -Built-in Electret
Microphone
-Includes Carrying
Case
Califone -Four headsets School Outfitters $169.99
MP3 -MP3 Player
https://www.schooloutfitters.com/
Listening -One Year
catalog/product_info?pfam_id=P
Center Warranty FAM3814&products_id=PRO114
-Dual Headphone 98
Jacks
-Built in
Microphone
-Accommodates 2
GB SD Card
4 Position -Four headsets Ebay $245.00
Listening -MP3 Player
Center http://cgi.ebay.com/4-POSITION-
-Built-in Volume MP3-LISTENING-
Control CENTER_W0QQitemZ11030022
-Carrying Case 6830QQcmdZViewItem
-Built-in
Microphone
-One Year
Warranty
5. Scanners
Specifications:
- Scanner and Printer Combo
- Color Printer
- Microsoft Compatible
State Contract
Item Product Company Picture Price Availability
Specifications
Canon -Printer/Scanner/ Walmart $59.88
Pixma Copier/Fax All-in-
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/p
MX300 All- One +$17.33
roduct.do?product_id=7810490
in-One -Scans at 600 dpi (3 Yr. Ext.
Photo -Color Printer Warranty)
Printer/ -Ink-jet Printer
Copier/ -Microsoft
Scanner/ Compatible
Fax
HP -Printer/Scanner/ Circuit City $199.99
Officejet Copier/Fax All-in-
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/H
J6480 One
P-Officejet-J6480-Wireless-All-in-
Wireless -Scans at 4800 dpi One-
All-in-One -Color Printer Printer/sem/rpsm/oid/208219/rpe
Printer -Ink-jet Printer m/ccd/productDetail.do?cc_fm=Si
milar+Items+Mod
-Windows or Mac
Compatible
-Wireless
Capability
-Two-Sided Printing
Epson -Printer/Scanner/ Amazon $158.99
WorkForce Copier/Fax All-in-
600 Wireless http://www.amazon.com/Epson-
One
All-in-One WorkForce-Wireless-Printer-
-Color Printer C11CA18201/dp/B001DJ9JF4/ref
Printer
-Ink-jet Printer =sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics
-Wireless &qid=1226287587&sr=1-3
Capabilities
-2 yr. limited
Warranty
-Two-Sided Printing
-Windows or Mac
Compatible
