Techonology in the classroom

I'm thinking about Interactive Whiteboards in the classroom and wondering if they are past their purpose? Is it possible that schools would be better spending their money on more smaller devices (laptops, tablets, netbooks) in the classroom and maybe a projector with a screen? This would allow for more children to be interacting more often with technology and learning tools and allow for more personalised learning.


The costs outlined below are what I could find on-line not inclusive of educational or multiple-buy discounts. The prices outlined are only an approximation (a wild guess, really!) by someone who has not had purchasing experience!

Potential Option 1:
1 Interactive Whiteboard                          $5000 +
                                                                  TOTAL = $5000 +

Potential Option 2:
Projector                                                   < $1500
8 classroom netbooks                                $400 x8
                                                                  TOTAL = $4700

Potential Option 3:
Projector                                                   <$1500
8 classroom tablets (ipad)                          $1000 x3
                                                                 TOTAL = $4500

Potetial Option 4:
Projector                                                    <$1500
5 classroom netbooks                                $400 x5
3 classroom tablets (ipad)                          $1000 x3
                                                                   TOTAL = $6500


So where does the money come from - the ultimate question!
Here's a fundraising idea that I think might just work. Ultimately, the teachers, along with the students and families are going to benefit from having the technology in the classroom. So why not have your teachers run a series of workshops on something they are good at, be it music, art, blogging, computing in general, sewing, creative writing, cooking, fitness circuits..... The list is endless.
If say each teacher ran three workshops over three weeks at $10 a head (per night) and got even just eight people to attend, that's $240 for each set of workshops. Say there are eight teachers (or teacher aides, caretakers, administration) participating - BOOM, there's nearly $2000. Imagine if you charged a little more, or got more people attending!