Teachers should remain aware that technology is not just about having computers in the classroom but in fact having a myriad of other technologies at hand. Old technologies have there place too, including the analogue clock, tape deck stereo system, VHS video player, and typewriter.
In order for students to understand the world they are currently living in, it is vital they understand the world that once was and these aged technologies have a place in educating students about the changes in technology.
Although some classes have these dated technologies, they aren’t fully being utilised and realised for their true potential. Stereo decks are fantastic learning tools for use during independent reading. Students can use pre-recorded School Journal articles and use them in order to enhance their listening comprehension.
VHS video players offer a plethora of videos relating to current topics and provide back catalogue videos not yet converted to DVD or Blu-ray. The typewriter can be used as a publishing tool and provide insight into its use before the advent of the modern computer- guiding students toward an understanding of the purpose of the QWERTY keyboard layout.
Technology is continuously being updated and refined; it is up to the educationalists to provide hands-on pieces of equipment that offer insights into the period of time when that certain piece of equipment was in main stream use. Instead of letting these gather dust, we should be upskilling our students on how we once used these technologies.
Hadleigh Benson
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