Technology Integration and the CCS....
Where Do I Begin?
By: Alicia Roberts


The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has established technology standards for students, teachers and administrators in K-12 classrooms. The ISTE, a leader in helping teachers become more effective users of technology, offers this definition of technology integration:

"Curriculum integration with the use of technology involves the infusion of technology as a tool to enhance the learning in a content area or multidisciplinary setting... 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. The focus in each lesson or unit is the curriculum outcome, not the technology."

A great definition...but what does that mean when trying to determine which tool of technology to use as support for an instructional technology strand aligned with a Common Core Standard? Here are a few basic guidelines I believe to be beneficial in this quest:

Accept the reality that authentic use of  technology has for the most part a three year learning curve. Think internet connectivity, IT support, training, reliable hardware, integration of district approved apps, and student, staff and parent support.

Don't start with the technology tools...start with the learning.
What do you want students to be able to do with what they are learning?
Identify what you want to be different at the end of the lesson than it was at the beginning.

Identify the activity that will help them retain what they learn, to make it easier to figure out what tool you might want to use.

Understand technology is a tool for sharing, connecting, and collaborating.

Test new technologies first.  Model technology, create you own sample work for students to comment on.

Find a technology coach - develop relationships - consult experts via Skype.
I have become great friends with Richard Byrne and Vicki Davis simply by sending a quick email.  I am very impressed by the amount of support that is available to help integrate technology through a professional online network. The global community of educators is one of the friendliest places to explore on the web.

Kids love technology; cell phones, computers at home, tablets, class web pages, Twitter, Facebook. Let them lead the way in choosing how to create a voice within the classroom with the use of tools they have grown up with.

Here is  great list of tools to launch your classroom into interactive and collaborative based projects.  Free Technology For Teachers is popular resource for the beginner to advanced instructional technology enthusiast.