It is now commonplace for universities to develop and use a technology program connected to goals such as improved test scores, greater attentiveness and enhanced retention of information that is taught in their classrooms.

Technology Directors and other college Management staff members face difficult decisions on what technology to consider and deploy in their learning environments.

These conclusions could be even more difficult Based on declining budgets along with external pressures and influences in the larger educational community. 1 thing is apparent, these individuals or committees will need to make the perfect choice for their schools. These are generally long term decisions that may sometimes be perceived as break or make decisions on several levels.

Tech supervisors may feel the need to create the safe alternative and go together with the popular fad; casting aside hard data obtained from respectable research in real world classrooms. While this topic is not often talked about publicly, it is nearer to the truth in more cases than you might think.

There are several trends that have grown In the recent years with the focus on hardware such as Interactive Whiteboards (IWB), Projection Systems and Interactive Response Systems. While all these tools have their advantages, there’s one that has not only developed in an Invisible Hero, but also a forgotten one, which seems to defy logic.

Maybe classroom amplification systems are Too easy, too obvious and lacking the essential hype and flair to acquire any touch on our collective radar, but we are beginning to see more decision makers take a step back, examine the facts and to re-embrace the clear.

Definitely, the setup of interactive Whiteboard systems has been the most popular choice during the last few decades. When these systems are effective in many ways, the amounts do not necessarily encourage the wholesale endorsement of this technology as the logical first choice when prioritizing the deployment of technology into our classrooms.

If we look at six key variables in comparing Three hot technologies side-by-side (1)Computers, (2)Interactive Whiteboards and Projectors and (3)Classroom Amplification Systems, it will become apparent that classroom amplification systems should be regarded as significant if not a more important priority over any other classroom technologies.

Affordability

• Computers have come to be rather affordable, but computer prices rise rapidly as schools create 1:1 laptop programs or outfit new computer labs with a significant number of computers.

• IWB’s and Projectors will also be in greater reach of school budgets, but a normal classroom installation can begin in a conservative cost estimate of $2500-$3500 each classroom. Multiply this by your total number of classrooms and your tech budget will look a lot bigger than you thought.

• virtual classroom software Systems are undoubtedly the most affordable of the big three classroom technology tools. Systems offered by the maximum quality producers can begin as low as $900 per classroom.