Integrating technology in public schools: part 1

This is a 3 part guide for Instructional Technology Specialists.

Technology works when it’s integrated

Many schools have a computer lab…it makes economic sense…the most number of students have access to technology.  Most of the time, classes meet for an hour a week to learn spreadsheets, internet safety, keyboarding, databases, and word processing.

Sadly, this makes very little pedagogical sense. Most students are adept in basic technology skills, and meeting for an hour a week doesn’t make for lasting understandings.

The real problem, though is technology is divorced from regular classroom learning.  While students might be exposed to integrated lessons about European Expansionism in math, science, and history, technology is often seen as a “special” class - in the same class as gym, art, shop, music and even Spanish in some schools! Technology is thought of as a seperate class.  Many teachers (understandably) like the free time computer class affords them. When the students are in a special class, the teachers have planning time. 

For years, people have been working hard to integrate technology into classroom learning.  When used appropriately, technology can strengthen, deepen, and broaden learning. It can extend and enhance learning. How much more could a unit on European Expansionism be with Flash, a web page, podcasted, blogged, thrown into an iMovie, or even made into a brochure?