Technology Integration
| Integrating technology is what comes next after making the technology available and accessible. It is a goal-in-process, not an end state. The goal of perfect technology integration is inherently unreachable: technologies change and develop, students and teachers come and go-things change. It is the process by which people and their institutional setting adapt to the technology that matters most. The process of technology integration is one of continuous change, learning, and (hopefully) improvement. Developing a culture that embraces technology is also important to its successful integration; for example, sending important messages by e-mail, or encouraging staff to use electronic calendars to schedule meetings, fosters a culture that accepts technology as "natural" to the business of everyday work. |
"…technology is a tool or a means to an end goal-it is not the end in itself"
Many groups have struggled to clarify the issue of defining technology integration. Although different words and phrases are used, the major theme of these definitions is that technology is a tool or a means to an end goal-it is not the end in itself. Here are three different takes on technology integration:
- "Boards of education need to recognize that technology integration is as much about change as it is about technology. How board members feel about change and their attitudes about people's ability to change or not change are crucial." National School Boards Association's Leadership and Technology
- "Technology integration is the process of teaching technology (technology education) and another curricular area simultaneously. In addition, it is the process of using technology to enhance teaching for learning (educational technology)." EdTech Connect, 1999
- "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
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Professional Development |