TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

What is successful Technology Integration?

Technology integration is the use of technology resources such as computers, mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, digital cameras, social media platforms and networks, software applications, the Internet, in daily classroom practices, and in the management of a school.

According to Berge 2018, successful technology integration is achieved when the use of technology is:



• Routine and transparent       
• Accessible and readily available for the task at hand
• Supporting the curricular goals, and helping the students to effectively reach their goals.

"Effective integration of technology is achieved when students are able to select technology tools to help them obtain information in a timely manner, analyze and synthesize the information, and present it professionally. The technology should become an integral part of how the classroom functions -- as accessible as all other classroom tools." -- National Educational Technology Standards for Students, International Society for Technology in Education

How we define technology integration can also depend on the kinds of technology available, how much access one has to technology, and who is using the technology. For instance, in a classroom with only one computer, learning is likely to remain teacher-centric, and integration will revolve around teacher needs, not necessarily student needs.

When technology integration is at its best, a child or a teacher doesn't stop to think that he or she is using a technology tool. Students are often more actively engaged in projects when technology tools are part of the learning process.

Bibliography

Tom Berge November 19, 2018 Technology integration, Edutopia

National Educational Technology Standards for Students, International Society for Technology in Education