What kind of media or technical equipment does a school need?
1. Internet access
I think that wireless Internet access everywhere in the school is a very good idea. A lot of pupils and teachers already possess an Internet-capable laptop or mobile phone which they then could use in every room of the school. Here, the following problem appears: the pupils (and especially the younger ones) can access every Internet site they want to and they can do this during their lessons. So there has to be a kind of restriction.
If wireless Internet access is not possible, then it is desirable to have Internet access at least in some classrooms, the teacher's room and in the library or computerlab.
If wireless Internet access is not possible, then it is desirable to have Internet access at least in some classrooms, the teacher's room and in the library or computerlab.
2. Stationary or portable computers?
I am of the opinion that portable computers are much more useful in school than stationary ones. Laptops and netbooks are smaller than stationary computers and they can be moved. The most intelligent solution which I saw is a so called "mobile computer lab". Here, the laptops (several ones) are placed on a desk with wheels which can be moved. Anyway, it is very important that it is possible to upgrade the computers whenever needed and that the software is kept up-to-date. That means there has to be someone (maybe a teacher) who is looking after the technical stuff.
3. Interactive whiteboards
The great advantage of interactive whiteboards is that they combine different types of individual media (computer, projector, soundsystem, camera etc.). For this reason, I think that more interactive whiteboards should be used in class. Maybe it is not possible to provide every classroom with an interactive whiteboard (they are expensive) but at least some of them (ideally one for every subject). For the transitional period (the teachers and pupils have to get used to the interactive whiteboards) and also for technical breakdowns it would be helpful to have an interactive whiteboard with an integrated blackboard.
4. Sound system
A sound system with integrated or external speakers and several connections (USB, headset, for ipod) is very useful for teaching (in particular for language learning). I think that every classroom (except perhaps for the ones with an interactive whiteboard) should have a sound system. If that is not possible, there should be a mobile solution (portable sound system on a trolley).
5. Television or Projector
There are two possibilities here. The first one is to use a (trolley with) TV (integrated or external speakers) and output device (video recorder, DVD player or Blue-ray player), the second one is to use a (trolley with) projector, output device and speakers. I prefer the second solution (the one with a projector on a trolley!) because projectors generate larger images which can be seen by the whole class. Unfortunately there are also some disadvantages. Projectors and also the spare bulbs are expensive, the electricity costs should be higher compared to the ones for TV usage and a projector needs a relatively long warm-up period. Anyway, I think that every school should have some of these trolleys (either with TV or projector).