Tech in the classroom

Students really see technology as an extension of their being. Take away that iPhone and watch the blood pressure rise. Technology in the classroom is really a given now. It is to be expected. But using it for the sake of using it is no good. It needs to be a tool, not the reason for a lesson.
Last year, a teacher in Yakima used technology seamlessly for an 8th grade history project. Students were to create a wax museum of an historical character: Abraham Lincoln, Ghandi, Susan B. Anthony. You name it. Eric Franz had his students research their subject online, in books or through personal interviews. Then they were to create a poster iwth all the information they gathered. Then, during the evening, with parents and guardians in the audience, each student would dress up as their historical subject and make a presentation on stage - much like Hal Holbrook's now ubiquitous performances at Mark Twain.
Part of the performance is a PowerPoint that the students create along with a newsletter. Each newsletter would be uploaded into the class Web site.
The main issue with this plan was the logistics. There were 200 students and 32 computers. Of course each student in each school period had access to the computers, but nonetheless, the project took steady monitoring from staff. But it worked and it was well worth it.
I would have taken it even further: Video. It's as easy to upload video as it is pictures or text, so why not. Of course, it adds to the logistical mess: A typical FlipVideo recorder will record an hour maxium. And come to think of it, if there are 200 kids giving performances, My God, that's a lot of performances. But if it's a class at a time, that can be done. Record an hour. Then upload to the harddrive. Then delete content from the FlipVideo device and continue. Or, if you have access to two recorders, all the better. And I would get feedback from the students: How they can bring other tech ideas into the project. I'd also ask them to add what their subject would have thought of the technology available today.