Where to Begin

Blog #8

As a teacher, it would be nice to know where to begin at integrating technology... do you just jump right in or do you slowly integrate it into your classroom, lessons, and learning styles?

First, why? Why should you integrate technology into your classroom?

• Technology is already everywhere in our lives, communities, and homes. It is needed in the classroom as well.
• They provide classrooms with more interesting, diverse, and current learning materials. The Web connects students to experts in the real world and provides numerous opportunities for expressing understanding through images, sound, and text.
• New tech tools offr students ways to experiment, observe, and explore (especially in the sciences).
• Also, with tech tools and a project-learning approach, students are more likely to stay engaged and on task, reducing behavioral problems.
• Technology also changes how teachers teach, allowing them to reach different types of learners and assess student understanding through various means while also enhancing the relationship between teacher and student. Through the use of technology, teachers grow into roles of adviser, content expert, and coach.

Technology helps make teaching and learning more meaningful and fun. (Adapted from Edutopia, 2008)

Now, how? How do you begin integrating technology?

• Find tech tools that you think would go along with a specific lesson or unit, test them (always test the tools first), and then implement them into the lesson.
• Starting slow so as not to overwhelm the students and yourself is a good method. If you add one or two tools a week, eventually you will build your "tool belt" without having to learn 12 new tools in one day for one day of lessons.
• Always have a Plan B. Technology sometimes fails and it is imperative to have a back-up plan in case this happens.
• Let the kids teach each other and teach you. They will know more than you about some technology tools and if you learn from them, not only does it let them take on the role as the "teacher", but it can build self-confidence and allow you to learn something new through different eyes.

A list of Web 2.0 tools a teacher needs to understand and b able to use to actively involve students in the classroom can be found by clicking here.

In conclusion,
Stick with it, Technology is the Future!!
Just some Technology "Food for Thought"
- Lauren


References

Edutopia Staff (2008). Why Integrate Technology into the Curriculum?: The Reasons Are Many. Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction

Edutopia Staff (2007). How to Integrate Technology. Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-guide-implementation