What is Effective Technology Integration for 21st Century Learners?

Hello again!
This week we had the task of figuring out what effective technology integration for 21st century learners would look like.  After reading the materials, I have become even more comfortable with the idea of using technology in the classroom.  I can now understand that the integration of technology into a classroom is about enhancing learning, not just about technology.  This differs from my experience in grade school insofar as technology was something that we had to learn, not something that we were able to use to expand our understanding of subjects outside of CTS.

I can now also see that the successful integration of technology into a classroom both requires and promotes creativity and innovation.  The teacher is required to think outside the box and use technology in a way that corresponds with the curriculum while still being fun and interesting for students.  If a teacher is successful in integrating technology, he or she will have a class full of students who are actively participating in their education.

Another important reason for integrating different technologies into the classroom is for the purpose of communication.  We now live in a global community.  Now, more than ever before, it is important to know about the different parts of the world and the different people that inhabit them.  Communication makes this possible.  Rather than having pen pals, like I did in school, kids can now have e-mail pals or a blog that is followed by others in a different city, province or country.  The use of technology to communicate with a pen, e-mail or blog pal makes this process much quicker and more resource friendly than it once was.

Although the use of technology in the classroom has the potential to make learning more interactive, fun and creative, I must say that there is always a chance of it going terribly wrong.  Once again, I feel that it is extremely important to have rules and guidelines for students using the internet.  It is also important that we, as teachers do not get carried away with exciting new technology that has little to do with the curriculum that we are required to teach.

Please check out my quick presentation on effective technology integration for 21st century learners at: http://www.slideshare.net/Lisaromanchuk/techpresentation