Appropriate+Technology

Appropriate technology is how you solve problems in a way that uses resources available to you, and appropriate to the audience. This can be using tools you have in the classroom in creative ways to address issues, finding new solutions to old problems, or using the same tools in a sustainable manner.

• **Appropriate technology (AT)** is "technology that is designed with special consideration to the environmental, ethical, cultural, social, political, and economical aspects of the community it is intended for. With these goals in mind, AT proponents claim their methods require fewer resources, are easier to maintain, and have less of an impact on the environment compared to techniques from mainstream technology, which they contend is wasteful and environmentally polluting." ~ [|Wikipedia definition]

• Appropriate technology is how you solve technical problems using what you have available to you, and what is appropriate to the audience. (my definition) • Examples • Built screens for sifting soil, drying paper, collecting leaf-litter • Card-board and ten-foil solar cooker • Paper and straw rockets • Breakfast milk cartons for “petri dishes”, planters, bean containers, etc • Sticky-notes for presentations, classroom voting, Jeopardy games

• Figure out what you need • Lab equipment? Presentation technology? • Use what you have! • Sustainability! • Be creative – popsicle sticks and tape can go a loooong way! • Sticky-notes can be used for pretty much anything • “Kitchen” labs for science. • Bluff the rest • Recycle and/or steal whatever you can • Find what other teachers use, and do the same • Ask kids to bring stuff in – they will if you bribe them!
 * How to use AT in the classroom**

Helpful resources [|ECHO technical notes] [|ERIC journal about appropriate technology] [|Development Center for Appropriate Technology] [|Appropedia][|: Education] [|Journal article: Open Source as Appropriate Technology for the Classroom]