Setting the Stage for Technology Integration

Background

Integrating technology into the classroom is an uncomfortable prospect for many teachers because they feel that they have to be experts in each tool before they can bring it to the students. This is simply not the case. The idea is to be the facilitator and not necessarily the expert.

To begin your journey, it is important to examine the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) created by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

Download, read, and save the 2007 National Educational Technology Standards for students.

Watch at least 2 of the 3 "NETS in Action" videos from the following web site: NETS in Action Videos

Complete the reflection related to this activity.

Asking the Right QuestionsQuestion?

As you work through this Exploration, you will need to keep the answers to many of the posed questions about access, proficiency, standards, time and current research in mind. If you don't immediately know the answers to some of the questions, this Exploration will help you to begin investigating. You will talk to the computer lab teacher or technician at your school to find out what software is available on the lab computers. You will also contact someone at your district office responsible for educational technology policies or will download a copy of the district policy from the district's web site. You will also poll your students to find out how many of them have computers at home or participate in after school programs where computers are available for their use.

Watch the presentation entitled "Asking the Right Questions" about things to consider prior to integrating technology with your English Language Arts program.

Select 3 of these questions and answer them in the reflection for this activity in your Portfolio Packet.

Standards

Where can you begin to integrate technology into your current teaching standards? This seems to be the million dollar question, isn't it?

Watch the presentation entitled "Standards" to learn about the English Language Arts standards that might be addressed using tech tools or non-tech tools.

Research your content standards and begin to make decisions about where to incorporate technology into your curriculum. Record this information in your Portfolio Packet.

TimeClock - time

Time - a word that is at the forefront of a teacher's list of needs! How can you best manage your time to be able to weave technology effectively in your classroom?

Watch the presentation entitled "Time" to learn about strategies for effectively integrating technology into the English Language Arts curriculum given your current access to technology and the program's time constraints.

Finished? Continue on to Setting the Stage for Technology Integration: Practice