Teaching tools;

Computers-help to prepare lessons, powerpoint shows, internet research, show graphs, keeping the students engaged using laptop computers.

iPads-a handheld style of touch pad/computer that uses apps to run small programs. Built in camera, e-mail, Cloud, educational apps, free apps, game apps, quick reader of digital news and magazines, Photo flow feature in sharing pictures from the iPad to other computers.

Ceiling mounted projectors- hook up to computers to project powerpoint slides, or any screen material, digital photos, digital print, makes screen larger enough for large audiences or big classrooms. Lighter and brighter 3000 lumens to 5000 lumens and more compact than earlier models.

Interactive electronic whiteboards- made by Smartboards of Long Island, NY and Polyvision of Columbus Circle, NYC,NY. Electronic boards come in standard 4ft.x 6 ft. or 10×12 ft. lecture room size. Features capability of saving anything on the screen. Allows teacher or students to write on the screen and erase on the screen; allows for wireless printing within 50 ft.; allows students to interactively get involved with the electronic in moving objects around the screen, drawing diagrams, using arrows or circling important facts or objects.

Interactive Student clicker response systems- Best used in large lecture halls with 50 or more students. No really suitable for small classroom of 15 or less students. Integrates with Powerpoint and creates instant graphs, charts with student responses. Not suitable for attendance checking. Cost of clicker paid for by some text book companies. $15 dollar cost from bookstore can be returned for resale of $5.00 each.

Automatic Podcasting- audio and video podcasts record a professor teaching. Just the powerpoint screen can be filmed with automatic camera. For audio or video only or combined, Echo 360 software will allow a microphone to be set remotely to go on at a specific lecture time and record just audio or both video and audio. At the end of the lecture time the program will turn off the microphone and ceiling camera and convert both audio and video into one Podcast and send it as an attachment to the Professors e-mail address in less than 5 minutes after the end of the lecture.

Assessment tools- Weaveonline is one of many centralized software programs that can help a professor meet their course objectives and provide assessment analysis at the end of the course. Before the beginning of the course the Objectives, action plans, projects, tests, etc are all posted on Weaveonline. The objectives have specific benchmarks for each professor to strive to achieve.

iPad-apps- There are Anatomy apps for the heart, muscles and bones for medical courses or Anatomy and Physiology; Economics apps using a roller coaster as an example of force and speed; and many other apps that a professor can attach their iPad to the movie project cable to put up on a screen for the class to view.

THE BEST TEACHING TOOLS ARE ..the old fashioned, time tested methods, of question and answer techniques, engaging students in a classroom or lecture hall, moving around the classroom and not sitting behind a desk or podium. Proximity when asking a question makes it personal, rather than asking a question from 100 feet away on a stage in a large lecture hall. Using a wireless microphone in a large lecture hall to be heard. Setting up small group collaborative learning projects. Becoming a facilitator instead of a lecturer in a classroom or lecture hall. Having a sense of humor. Provide some entertainment but get the students involved in the process. Debates, student presentations, student Powerpoint projects, Blog presentations, Blackboard instant tests, Powerpoint 1 min. quizzes, 3×5 question cards, inclass laptop assignments with a time limit and report afterward, student partners, student learning groups, student collaborative project groups and interactive educational games.