Apply and Discover 2.2

Why Integrate Technology?
    

Possibly a couple of years from now, students will be carrying their textbooks in the palm of their hands (I know some of you are thinking, "They already are." )

This I know for sure: Technology can complement the learning experience and level the playing field for all students. Gone are the days of critiquing someone's cursive handwriting, their scissor skills, or their drawing capabilities. All students can benefit from collaborative and creative programs such as Prezi, and Glogster.

     So, when students are given the choice: Do you want to freewrite on paper or on google docs? They all grab their laptops and immediately get to work. I too logon to my laptop and get started by displaying my freewrite on the Smartboard for all to see and then "share" with students to comment and respond to a topic in "real time." There isn't a peep. Just the clicking of the computer keys and a few sounds of students snickering as they find my comments to them. Every student is engaged. Every ability. Every learning style. Every body.

As teachers, we need to embrace the change process and be leaders in our schools for implementing these important tools. Often we Digital Immigrants don't know where to start. Just start. Keep a "wide open" mind. Learn along side your students. Just start. Technology begets technology. Ask questions. Observe others using technology.

Just yesterday, I gave a mini-lesson about using a QR generator in the classrooms to my fellow teachers at our monthly staff meeting. I saw some eye-rolling as started to explain what I had learned at the Christa McCaliffe Technology Conference. I thought to myself and panicked, "This is sooo 30-seconds-ago information!" Have courage! Our attitudes are directly linked to the integration practices. If not me, then who?

Check out one way you can design your own instruction to students with diverse needs with QR-codes at 10 Ways to use QR-codes in the classroom.