The setting, the purpose, and the developmental stages of the children involved will help decide the best choices in a particular situation. Tape recorders record children reading aloud or telling their own stories, poems, and songs, and let them listen to stories recorded by others. Cameras record skits, performances and presentations on film, video or in a digital form. Children can tell a story in pictures and write or dictate the captions.
Fax machines reach out to other schools, to outside organizations, and keep in touch with parents.
They can be used to gather information, invite guest speakers, and send thank-you messages. Portable keyboards allow children to type in text without being distracted by other options such as graphics, for a fraction of the cost of a computer. If desired, the text can later be transferred to a computer for graphics and formatting. Computers can also be used to communicate and publish with others around the world. There is no one answer on what type of technology to buy, or even whether to buy additional items.