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- The 2008 Readers' Survey was conducted at Edutopia.org March 26-April 30, 2008. Participants responded to questions in their own words, and their answers were tabulated to yield the top three to five vote getters in each category. The top responses for each question appear with voting buttons to encourage our visitors to participate further.
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Readers' Survey 2008: Best Technology Product for Less Than $100
Credit: Getty Images
We're pleasantly surprised at the amount of high tech material out there for less than $100 -- portable hard drives, boom boxes, graphing calculators, even brand-new iPod shuffles -- all of which teachers and students can harness for engaging (or at least useful) classroom activities.
A typical 1 GB USB flash drive, for instance, costs roughly $20-$30 these days, making it an increasingly indispensable way to transfer and back up files and projects. "You can back up anything from worksheet files to PowerPoint presentations to videos," wrote one respondent. One user, perhaps a bit uncertainly, whispered, "Cell phone," throwing a ray of light onto the dark classroom war raging against these devices.
Other thrifty choices: Scope-on-a-Rope (a handheld microscope camera), Audacity (free sound-editing software), DVD players, and, of course, the token (but oh-so-necessary) pencil.
What do you think? Weigh in on the results.
I love my usb drives. I have several for several different uses. One is for the different examples of what my students create. It is great for my records and makes it easier to post their work on the website. Luckily we have a shared drive where the kids can save and I can access them for my usb drive. At the end of the year I make CDs for all and we have a fresh start.
Best technology product for under $100
I would definitely say the ipod because it can serve as both a mp3 players and a thumb drive!
USB's
I love my USB drives, but a camera is a great gift. Pictures keep giving. Suddenly student work can take on a whole new life.
Also--
I don't know how long ago this article was written but $20-$30 for a 1 gig is an incredible high price for a flash drive unless it has advanced features. The nice part about this technology is the fact that many companies are competing for your dollar. I have seen 2 gigs as low as $8.00 for a store brand.
As a teacher I am forever shopping around.
KCB