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The TV and VCR were only used on special occasions to watch movies or current events live. We saw the space shuttle Challenger explode live on national television in 1986. -
The intercom was used to communicate with the entire student body simultaneously. Every morning, a student would lead the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance over the intercom. -
A Scantron form is used for the automatic grading of multiple-choice exams. They save teachers time because students' tests are graded by a machine. My teacher in middle school frequently used Scantron exams for social studies and Spanish. -
My eighth-grade Spanish teacher used a tape recorder to help us practice our pronunciation. -
The first commercial graphing calculator was introduced by Casio in 1985, allowing users to display graphs. In ninth grade, my Algebra II teacher required every student to have a graphing calculator once we reached the section on charts and graphs in the curriculum. We were allowed to use these calculators for both homework and tests. -
In the 9th grade, I took a typing course that included both manual and electronic typewriters. During this class, we learned touch-typing techniques by focusing on proper hand placement on the home row keys. We developed muscle memory to type without looking at the keys and improved our speed and accuracy through timed tests and drills. -
Overhead projectors were used to display large, illuminated images from transparent sheets to the class. Instructors could write on these sheets using non-permanent markers. My trigonometry teacher often used the overhead projector to introduce new concepts.