My Thoughts on Tech Integration

#1. What are steps teachers can take to ensure that technology integration is successful in the classroom?

The teacher has to make sure that the technology being used is appropriate for the lesson. For example; If the students are creating a presentation based upon what they learned this week, then the student should be using presentation software, not a spreadsheet program. The students also need to know the technology before they are "plopped" in front of a computer and told to work.
This aspect of the lesson should be modeled for the student, that way the student will not only know how to perform the task, but also what is expected of them.
One way to seamlessly incorporate technology into the lesson, is to focus on the objective and not the tool used to reach it. We don't go into great detail about using text books, yet the students gain knowledge from that particular medium. If we model
our lessons by using the same tools that we require of our students, then they will learn the general technology without needing miniscule details. Once the students become familar with this technological medium they will figure out how to incorporate the little details that imporve their work.

#2. A lesson is curriculum driven, not technology driven. Think of a lesson you can "reshape" using technology. Provide an example in your discussion.

We can use technology as a tool to reach our objectives. We do not begin with technology and then create an "activity" for the student to complete.
Some examples can be shown through the following objectives:
TLW create a timeline noting the rise and fall of Egypt as a world super-power.
TLW compare and contrast the Egyptian and Chinese religions.
TLW analyze and describe the social structure of Ancient Egypt.

There are several different ways to reach these objectives.
The first objective can be reached by the students researching the information in their text book, and then drawing a timeline. However, it can also be reached by the students working in pairs researching the information on the internet, and publishing their work through a timelining program.

The second objective can be met by the student creating a Venn Diagram, T-chart, or other graphic organizer which illustrates the information found in their research. Why not have the student create their organizer using a presentation software? By doing this the student can also write a brief description of their findings, and show it to the class.

The third objective can also be met through a variety of different means. The student could create a foldable based upon the social structure of Egypt. The student could use colors to draw a picture of Egypt's social pyramid with a brief description. Finally the student could use a teacher made Word template to create the social pyramid using clip art, pictures, and text to achieve the same objective, plus the student can print them out for a grade.

The integration of technology is "do able", we just need to push ourselves to do it.