The Technology Infused Classroom

Technology in The Classroom - Infuse Learning EdModo from Daniel Ledezma on Vimeo.

Daniel isn't the only one who is working to infuse technology into his classroom. All across the world teachers are learning new technology in order to incorporate this new wave of useful tools into their daily classroom instruction. Sometimes the intensity of trying to keep up with the ever widening market of instructional technology and teachers must learn to keep this topic in focus. Measuring the effectiveness of incorporating ever-changing technology into the classroom against the cost in time, money, and confusion (not to mention the Hawthorne Effect of something new working just because it's new!). My vision of a technology infused classroom doesn't necessarily have all the latest, but it certainly has the greatest and the most relevant technology in order to make sure that the investment is returned in learning gains, engagement, and useful real-world skills.

Exploring new technologies can be fun and engaging for learners, but not every new program, gadget, or device is worth the investment. Sometimes less is more.

Keeping in mind that the tools we teach our students to use in school should be the ones that will provide the most effective skills for their future. When a teacher is working through a selection of programs, games, and devices for use in their classroom, they should always keep this goal in mind.

Sticking to the basics of word processing, some main online sites with which you have confidence in use and effectiveness, a well maintained set of class computers with internet access and a projection program can be enough to provide full  technology skills to students if they are used effectively. This isn't to say that becoming familiar with new technologies and trends in instructional technology isn't beneficial for a classroom, but it is not always necessary to bring everything into your classroom. It is worth saying twice that when it comes to technology in the classroom, sometimes less is more.