Blog 3 entry: A Technology-Infused Classroom

                                                            Image from: http://www.wvschools.com/

What does a technology-infused classroom look like? How can educators infuse technology in the classroom? These are questions to be answered in this new era that we live in.

 Incorporating technology in all the facets of teaching, learning, and education, is fundamental to successfully teach and learn in the new digital age.  Teachers need to embrace and include in their classrooms the newest technology, with the intention of reaching all 21^st Century learners, and
 help students achieve their learning goals.

I envision a technology-infused classroom looking like a room where students are actively engaged in their learning by using different technological tools. Learners are interested and involved in productive activities, they exhibit a positive attitude because the lessons are tailored to their interest, needs, and learning styles. Lessons and activities are relevant, meaningful, and highly stimulating. A technology-infused classroom needs to be an engaging and exciting classroom where students love learning through the use of technology and multimedia.

The physical layout of a technology-infused classroom may display different areas, such as listening, writing, and math centers with manipulative, and other useful tools; student computers with updated software and programs, a reading library, laptops, digital cameras, videos, and student desks  organized in groups of three to four for collaborative  group work .  One important point educators must not overlook is planning effective lessons incorporating appropriate technology and media, which best aligns with the curriculum and learning standards (Smaldino and Lowther, 2007).

Innovative Designs for Education mentions how in a technology- infused classroom:

·         The teacher creates a structured environment for learning by preparing units and problem-based activities.

·         Educators set high expectations and provide encouragement and support.

·         Instructors help students develop good work habits, collaborative and reflective skills.

·         Parents are engaged in their child’s learning process.

·         Teachers facilitate learning.

·         Not all students are doing the same thing at the same time.

·         Technology is used as a resource in the learning process.

·         The room is filled with resources.

·         The room is designed for learning.

(Innovative Designs for Education. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2010, from http://www.idecorp.com/philosophy/newpage21.htm, p. 1-3).

As an educator, I am gradually integrating technology in my classroom setting.  As I pursue a master’s degree and gain information and experience about instructional technology, my goal is to increase the use of technology in the classroom to encourage student learning and enhance student’s achievement. I plan in having a technology-infused classroom by allowing my students to plan, design and create products, help one another, work collaboratively in accomplishing assignments through the use of a vast array of technologies and other resources. I intend to allow my students to research, investigate, ask questions, and find answers to problems, by using new technologies such as interactive white boards, computers, Inter write tablets, Internet, voice thread, power point, software games, and other web-based resources. I am looking forward to embracing technology and gradually building a technology-infused classroom for the 21^st Century learner.