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Technology as Part of Everyday Classroom Experience

The pace at which technology evolves in our modern information-driven world can seem nothing short of overwhelming. The way we communicate, interact and understand the world around us seems to change moment to moment. Very often it is young people—our students, who are the first to understand, adopt and fully exploit the vast potential that comes with new technology. As educators, we are placed in a unique position where we must try to appreciate how our students are transformed by this constant evolution, at times regulate the extent to which students engage with these tools and at least in a very rudimentary way connect with them through the use of the technology. Yet as educators, we are often hesitant or even unsure of how to integrate this ever-evolving transformative technology into the classroom. More over, we are often at a loss as to where to begin. As teachers we cannot miss this opportunity to engage our students and adopt new approaches to delivering curriculum. The integration of technology ensures that all students, no matter their abilities, strengths or needs will be able to participate in and have an active role in their academic lives. The question then becomes, how? What follows are basic approaches any teacher can use to begin the process of integrating new technological tools into their already existing practices and routines. More than explicit instructions on how to use specific technology, software, tools, or how to assess what type of technology is appropriate for a particular student, the following offers some basic ideas and approaches to adapting new tools into established programs and classrooms.

Once an educator has made the decision to regularly integrate technology into the classroom and the tools are accessible, there are several fundamental ideas to keep in mind in order to ensure the successful and meaningful incorporation of it into the classroom. From the onset, it must be stated that the use of technology in the classroom is not an end unto itself, neither is it a panacea. Using mind-mapping or text-to-speech software, ebooks or an online learning environment will not “cure” a student with behaviour issues, improve grades or teach students specific content. At least not without a sound program already in place. What technology provides is an opportunity to involve students in the learning process in innovative and exciting ways, allowing them to work with their strengths and accommodating their learning needs. When combined with good teaching practices, a flexible approach, well established routines, engaging lessons and a multifaceted approach to teaching that takes into account the strengths and needs of all students, technology allows all students to participate in rich and meaningful learning experiences and demonstrate wide-ranging forms of success. Technology should enhance and augment our sound and successfully established teaching practices.

To be successful and significant, the use of technology must become part of the everyday, regular routine in the classroom. Access to computers, interactive whiteboards and other equipment and software should not be seen as a reward or special event usage which students must earn. Instead, technology, like textbooks, pencils and manipulatives should be understood as other tools for learning. Like “traditional” tools, technology must be integrated into the everyday experience and environment. Our students must come to understand the technological tools we use in the classroom as just other tools used to understand new concepts and processes. So then, when we are discussing physical equipment it makes sense that the integration of technology into the everyday begins with the decisions we make in the placement of material when setting up the learning environment.

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