HIT: Which Technology Stays?

[Anton Ninno <anton@ERICIR.SYR.EDU>]

Here's a post I sent to another list where someone was discussing the uses
of 'old computers' - having kids learn to fix them and how they work.  I
think the ideas are related to the question about which technology to
keep in a school library media center.  See what you think.  - Anton

> What forms of old technology do you think will remain in our schools?
> Will it be overheads, cassette recorders, video?

----------
Subject: Re: When Computers Get Old

Another use for old computers is to set up a Technology Museum in school.
That could include many other items in addition to computers, of course.
I had a History of Technology display on one side of my 6th grade
classroom, as space permitted.  Got friends and parents to donate old, but
working machines.  The school library was also a graveyard of gems.  Yard
sales and flea markets have also produced some nifty pieces of history.

In addition to the Apple IIe and Commodore PET, we had: a manual
typewriter, electric typewriter, manual adding machine with a crank,
electric adding machine, old radios, telegraph keys, reel-to-reel tape
recorder, 8mm movie projector, film strip projector, rotary phone with the
cover off, slide rule, pendulum clock, handcrank generator and an abacus.
Of course my personal favorites were the old shortwave radios!  You'd be
surprised what parents will donate to clean out an attic.  Oh yeah.

I had to rotate the equipment to save space, and some items were on loan
from the library (where they were rarely used).  The kids loved learning
how the stuff worked and how to use it.  Nice tie-in to science and SS.
Sometimes they used old technology in presentations and projects.

Hope this helps.  I'd like to hear if anyone else has done this, or how it
goes if anyone here gives it a try.  One of the most unusual items I came
up with is a Braille-writer.  Crystal radios are neat, too.  The kids
can't believe they work - no batteries, solar cell, or AC plug!  - Anton

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Anton Ninno, AskLN Coordinator           AskLN@ericir.syr.edu
4-290 Center for Science & Technology    anton@ericir.syr.edu
Information Institute of Syracuse        800.464.9107 toll-free
Syracuse Univ., Syracuse, NY 13244-4100  315.443.3640 New York State
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