I have explored a lot of different idea to find an "emerging technology" that I felt was useful and practical enough that I might want it in my classroom.  I had an idea before I started and that is what made it so hard to find.  I wanted to find a real technology that would replace the chalk board.  The chalk board is still a vital piece of equipment to most classroom teachers.  It is quick, convenient, spontaneous, and focuses the class.  Could technology improve it?
A few years back at a science convention in New Orleans, I saw a white board that interfaced with your computers.  This way all of the students at the computers could view real time data from their teacher at their stations.  What I found now is a version of this concept.  It is called the Tegrity EduCart.

What it does: The EduCart is a portable station (on a cart, which all teachers are familiar with) which contains a PC , an LCD projector, Tegrity software, a video camera and capture card, and a document camera.  You can create multimedia presentations or just write on a white board and then digitize them instantly.

Potential educational use: This system might not replace the black board completely, but it  will more effectively focus the whole class to the front of the room and jazz up that presentation.  I use an overhead more than the black board right now because the back of the room can read it better.  Now I could preserve these presentations and even enhance them with web-based recordings, or microscope images that everyone can view.  The company claims that teachers can be trained within a couple of hours on this equipment.  Then these presentations could be used for make up work and homebound students.  Distance learning could be achieved because these can be accessed via the internet.  It would also be great for parents and fellow educators.

When and how it could be obtained:  This technology can be obtain today and as it evolves improvements are expected.

Cost today, and in the future : Price ranges from $9,995  to $14,995 ($7,995 to $9.995 for educators) depending on the LCD projector you choose and other features.  This quote is from a press release dated Oct. 1998, so I would expect the price to be decreasin

URLs for more information: www.integrity.com

Hardware and software requirements:  A PC, video camera, whiteboard, LCD panel, and Tegrity software.  Windows word processor and either Netscape or Explorer to enhance your presentations.

Whether needed resources are available in typical schools: Since my school is a small rural school and we have most of these resource available, I think most schools would be able to incorporate this cart system into their lab room or even a typical high school classroom.

I want one!!!!!!!!!!!!!