TO: EVOC 501 Ron Pendleton
FROM: Phil Fournier
DATE: 10/11/2004
RE: 501-FA8- Tools for teaching

Tools I current own and use in education (in order of importance to me):

• Laptop and desktop computer with printer – I would not want to attempt my teaching, particularly as a part-time instructor, without the assistance of a computer. I had a desktop when I began teaching in 1988 and acquired my first laptop about 1993. Even if the only thing I used it for was word processing, this would still be sufficient justification for it. I can edit my syllabus, class schedules, handouts, lab exercises, lesson plans, and so forth from one year to the next without having to redo the entire thing.
• Computer software – Though I am no fan of Bill Gates, I have gotten accustomed to and had training on all of his products, and principally use Word and PowerPoint in my teaching, though years ago I used the venerable “Word Star” for DOS program. Additionally, I extensively use a program (AESwave) to capture information off my tools, organize it, and then redisplay it for teaching or writing purposes. The two Office programs became much more useful to me after I took an Office class in 2000.
• Internet Access – Since I began using this tool in 1996, it has become indispensable, both for work and teaching. Our technical information is largely distributed via internet subscription sites which is a great, cost-saving tool because there are no CD’s to scratch and break as students are often prone to do.
• Digital still camera – I use this with my off-site instruction, where students don’t have access to a real car. The next best thing is a picture of a malfunctioning or damaged part. I purchased my first low resolution camera in 1998 and still use some of the pictures I took with it in my teaching.
• Portable LCD projector – I have only recently obtained one of these since the cost in the past was just too high. Formerly, I projected by PowerPoint presentations on a large TV screen, which was barely adequate for those sitting up front if I turned the lights down.
• Cell phone – While I can see this would be useful in an emergency, I am thankful never to have had to use one for this purpose. Mostly, they annoy me because students interrupt my class room with a wide variety of equally irritating rings. If I could find a way to bar them from the class room I would do it!

Tools I do not yet own or do not use in teaching:

• Digital Video Camcorder – I use PowerPoint presentations created by others that have short videos as part of the presentation. This seems to be a highly effective means of bringing interest and good content into a presentation. At present I lack the computer skills to use such equipment but I believe I can and should learn.
• Palm pilot: I have had one of these for several years, but have used it mainly for a Rolodex and a reminder calendar. Our college recently obtained expensive Skills Manager software, which has an element in it designed to work with a Palm. I may possibly use this interface if I can see it to be valuable. I object to the small keyboard and have never learned to use the stylus, so I find it somewhat cumbersome to use.