What impresses students in terms of technology? Its not at all the latest whiz bang that they have seen on television. If you were to create an actual artificial intelligence with a soul and brought it into the classroom all they would do is make jokes and try to trick it. They think this stuff already exists. In many cases you have to reach back into history to make them appreciate the advances that have been made and perhaps show them how difficult it has been to reach the level we are at.
I teach a technology course, programming and electronics and radio communications and robotics and everything that should impress. But getting their attention is often a challenge so sometimes I have to reach back instead of forwards. Let me tell you about the most impressive thing they saw and used this year!
I was doing a lesson that involved interfacing a keyboard with a micro-controller and started to explain the history of the keyboard and why it is laid out in a particular fashion. Then they became interested as I explained that the design of their keyboards is about 150 years old. Time for some time travelling!
I brought out to the front of the class something they had never seen – an electric typewriter. They were amazed that they could type and words would instantly appear on paper. They all oohed and awed and lined up to have a crack at this wonderful machine.
I think next week I will bring out a dial telephone and see if they can figure out how to use it,
technology rage 
Hey Richard, I also find that it is hard to get our students excited about technology. They have so much technology at home that it is hard to impress them. I would have liked to see their faces as they discover the typewriter. Do you actually use your typewriter for writing?
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Sometimes lol
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