This document discusses the importance of technology in the classroom and provides tips for its effective use. It notes that technology is a window to the future and audio/visual enhancements can benefit learning. Talking books and optical media help auditory learners, while digital projectors, document cameras, and overhead projectors are common classroom visual technologies. The document recommends following principles of relevance, consistency, proportion, and unity when incorporating visual elements and provides additional tips for preparing engaging technology-based lessons and presentations.

1. Technology in the Classroom

2. Why is Technology important?
• Technology is our window into the future.
• According to Duffy McDonald “Audio and visual enhancements to text and
the spoken word are just as important in the digital age as they were in the
twentieth century”.

3. Audio
• Talking books helps auditory learners.
1. Children are able to practice their listening skills.
• Optical digital media is quickly replacing analog audiotapes.
• CDs and DVDs have clarity, storage format, and easy information retrieval
access.

4. Visual
• Pick what works best for your classroom.
• To be effective you need to follow four principles:
1. Relevance: All components contribute and
enhance the message.
2. Consistency: All elements are in harmony visually
to send a clear single message.
3. Proportion: The relative size of all elements is consistent
with their importance to the message.
4. Unity: All elements work together to communicate
the message and focus attention.

5. Tips for Preparing Technology in Class
• Build repetition by using different wording to keep ideas fresh.
• Follow 6 x6 rule on each page.
• When presenting material remember that white space is okay to have
on a page and needed for contrast:
1. It lets the design breathe.
2. It is important for objects or words to stand out.
• According to a study at Temple University, using humor to capture
your audience is proven very influential.
• Be sure your colors do not blend into the
background and can be easily read.
• For more helpful hints and a guideline see
http://media.baruch.cuny.edu/faculty/jbelland/powerpoint/

6. Projected Visuals
• Evolutions in technology can be found throughout the classrooms today.
• Digital projectors, Document cameras, and Overhead Projectors
are among the most common used visuals in the
Classroom.
• Digital cameras are most common in schools.
• Document cameras are gaining popularity.

7. Conclusion
• Now that we have the answers let’s move forward.
• Adapt technology into our classrooms, as well as into our homes.
• Be prepared by opening the window and allowing the breeze of technology
to flow in.

8. References
• Duffy, Judy and McDonald, Jean, 2008, Teaching and Learning with
Technology, 4th Edition, Boylston Street, MA, Pearson Publishing, Pgs
287-300
• Jukes, Ian, 2007, Bringing Down the House: Creating Sensational Knock-
Your-Socks Off Presentations: How to Deliver Your Message with Power
and Pizzazz, Info Savvy Group, Pgs 1-46
• Template can be found at www.presentationfx.com