One of the most important tools in the profession of education has always been technology. Technology allows the student to comprehend the subject matter at hand easier. Not only is technology beneficiary to the student, but it is also a great help to the teacher. Using certain tools can make a class more interested, and knowing that the teacher has their attention can make their job easier as well. I will be concentrating on the tools and equipment that have been used in education to benefit the student as well as the teacher. I will also be discussing the negative side effects technology has on education.
             There are many different types of technology that have been used in education. Some of the shapes of technology seem so simple, while other forms are so complex. In the past technology has given education an edge with its contributions. Though there are many, here are some that have had the greatest impact on education.
             One of the earliest forms of technology in education is a slate. A slate was a portable blackboard for teachers and students. It was advertised in the United States as early as 1737. They were widely used in the United States in rural areas where paper was scarce and expensive. The size of a normal slate was roughly 8"X11". It was used to write assignments that did not need to be saved such as math.
             In the 1800's education had its first encounter with motion pictures. The device was called a magic lantern, which showed a series of slides. However, the subjects of the slides were not usually as entertaining. The material one could find would be various plants, animals, and trees. The magic lantern allowed the class to have a visual of what they were learning in front of them.
             Education also had its run in with the phonograph in the late 1800's. Thomas Edison in 1898 invented the phonograph with education on his mind. This magnificent device allowed a person to record sound. Edi...