Planning for Technology Integration in the Classroom

ASSESS YOUR RESOURCES

The first step in determining how to integrate technology into your curriculum is to take a quick assessment of where you are in terms of technology.

Four-point "STAR" approach to technology assessment

Student skills and attitudes: What can students already do with computers and what's their attitude toward technology? Do students have computers and Internet access at home?

Teacher skills and attitudes: What can you do on a computer and how do you feel about using computers in the classroom?

Access: How much computer time can you and your students get each week? Do you have classroom computers or lab access only? How much lab time is available? How many computers?

Resources: What kinds of hardware, software, and training are available? Are computers reliable? Is the available software education software (such as math drills) or productivity software (such as a word processing program)? What types of training (free or paid) are available through your school or community

TIPS Take a moment to pencil (or type!) your

thoughts on each of these STAR points. The better you understand the lay of the land, the better you'll know what you need to do to jump-start technology use in your class.

Don't let any negative or weak areas depress you.

Make an honest evaluation of what you have to work with.

Even if you are a beginner with a single computer in your classroom, few training opportunities, and students with no home computers, you can integrate technology into your classroom

GOALS AND PLANNING Manage with technology: Use technology to

manage your classes. Average grades with a spreadsheet, use mail merge to send parent letters, and surf the Internet for lesson plans. Focus on using technology yourself before introducing it to your students.

Start small: Set an initial goal of including technology in one content area or unit a month. Have students write a letter with a word processing program, create a graph in a spreadsheet program, or practice math skills using content software

Surf in shallow waters: Surfing students misspell site addresses and become distracted by commercial sites. Focus class research by hand-picking relevant, age-appropriate Web sites. For help, check out 42eXplore or the Education World site reviews.

Online learning tools: Learn how to use WebQuests, scavenger hunts, and other online learning tools -- and how to make your own -- at Ed Index. (Click Online Learning Basics on the drop-down menu.)

Test online: Save instructional time and motivate your kids by creating, administering, and grading tests online. Check out the Education World article Motivate While You Integrate Technology: Online Assessment for more information.

Know when to say no: Technology isn't perfect; it can't replace face-to-face teaching. Learn to determine when technology helps -- and hurts -- the learning process and use it accordingly. Your curriculum, not your computer, should be the focus of technology integration.

TIPNo matter what you know -- or

don't know -- about technology, no matter how many computers you have, no matter how skilled your students are, you can integrate technology. Remain confident, flexible, and enthusiastic and you will succeed.