Technology Integration: What I've Learned

     There are unlimited learning opportunities and possibilities available when educators integrate technology into their classrooms.  Web 2.0, the second generation of the internet, provides many interactive tools for communicating, teaching, and learning.  Just as technology has enhanced our daily lives and our job market, so can it enhance education.  Students should be able to learn with the same tools and skills they use at home and will need to use in the work-place.
     Studies are showing that students are more motivated, self-directed, and self-confident when using technology to learn and share knowledge.  Technology provides students with options to work individually, collaboratively, or through guided instruction.  It also provides an alternative education for students of different backgrounds, learning styles, and abilities.  Fortunately, through college courses, workshops, professional development, studies, and research, educators are finally beginning to understand how revolutionary technology is in creating a useful, functional, student-directed classroom environment.
     After taking a course in education and technology integration I have become aware of the many ways it enhances learning and engages students in many different types of learning.  Not many these days have the ability to sit quietly and listen to a teacher talk or write on a blackboard for several minutes without getting restless or bored.  Students learn in various ways and each learning style needs to be incorporated into the classroom.  It is impossible to address every students' needs and abilities without the use of technology.
     I used to believe the excuses schools used for not integrating technology.  Budget restrictions, lack of equipment, resources, teacher knowledge, and abilities, are all reasons why we aren't using technology.  Yet, the price of technology has been reduced substantially as more digital tools become available.  Government grants, donations, and fundraisers are useful in raising money to provide tools and resources for students.  Better yet, most students already own many digital devices and can use them at school just as well as they use them at home for homework, projects, and assignments.  Additionally, there are many courses, workshops, professional development opportunities, and co-educator assistance for teachers not familiar with or lacking skills and knowledge in technology.
     In my journey to become a certified teacher I plan to research many more different ways I can make my classroom a multimedia digital environment.  I have already learned some valuable ways to incorporate digital tools into lessons, activities, and projects.  Whenever an opportunity arises to use technology, I will take it.  I'll probably learn as much from the students as they will from me when starting out but I know the only way to make a positive change is to take some risks.  Sometimes they work out great sometimes we learn and move forward.

Equal Access to the Digital World

     These days, technical literacy is just as important to master as English and math.  That's why I believe every student should have access to a wide variety of digital learning resources and experiences.  Digital learning prepares students for the future.  Whether you go on to college or join the work force, you will be required to have basic skills in digital communication and collaboration.  I feel the lack of technology in schools is holding students back.  Most of you use technology outside of school to create learning experiences.  Why not use it in school, as well?
     Digital access for everyone means we can take learning into our own hands and create our own personal learning experiences.  There are so many different learning resources, tools, and applications available and we can use them to collaborate and communicate with one another as well.  You can even ask an expert besides the teacher for help with lessons!  In fact, digital access gives us the ability to extend learning beyond the classroom to almost anywhere in the world.  Best of all, it gives learners of every type an equal chance to learn in a functional environment that provides lessons, means of expression, and means of engagement in multiple ways.