The Importance of Technology in the Classroom- Suzanne Martin

Incorporating technology in the classroom opens the door to newer, more advanced modes of teaching to engage students in the process of learning. By using technology, such as the SMART board, teachers are able to prepare an interactive lesson that helps students stay focused, engaged and excited about learning. SMARTboard technology can be used as independent learning centers in the classroom, enabling a teacher to work with small groups. This mode of teaching allows a teacher to reference & use  educational websites to provide background knowledge about a topic. Other forms of technology, such as the use of computer programs like Excel and Inspiration, allow the students to use graphs and charts to expand their knowledge of a lesson. Experience with these programs also prepares them for the working world. Incorporating the use of video into a lesson promotes teamwork and creativity among the students.

Some challenges to incorporating these forms of technology into schools would begin with finding the available funding from the administration. Another problem would include the need to train the  veteran teachers on these new devices and ensuring that they use them in their instruction.

All of the lessons from this class helped me to become a more qualified educator.  I feel that I am better prepared to incorporate technology into the classroom as an educational tool.