What does “meaningful” and “effective” integration mean?


When technology is integrated into the curriculum in an effective and meaningful way, the hope would be that students and teachers use technology as a tool to enhance learning in a way that would not otherwise be touched. The end product should not be, "Let's make the tech piece the goal", but rather, "How can technology add to and increase learning?".

When skills based technology classes are taught outside the curriculum, the need and use do not seem as valuable as when there truly is a need for the student or teacher to gather and practice skills related to other learning. The need to practice skills is important and there is no better way than having a tangible project.

I often DO teach skills/applications classes, as well as help teachers integrate. When those skills are not used/practiced in another classroom project, the importance is not as visible and there can be a disconnect with the learning. I can teach e-mail skills, how to send an attachment and access school files from home, and ask students to practice it before they really need it. Many of them do, and learn. But, it is not until they really need to access those files and it does or does not work, that they finally gain that skill.

It thrills me to have teachers work with technology in meaningful ways where I can really see the students and teachers sharing new knowledge to enhance their units. The teachers' approach from "stand and deliver" naturally seems to move to "coach and guide" allowing students to take more responsibility for their own learning. The fear and lack of meaningful models in the classroom can cause a teacher to be blind to the benefits of technology in student learning. Even without teacher training, a good teacher who is flexible, willing to take a risk, and has some support, will realize they can learn from their students as well. The classroom becomes a lab of new sharing and excitement. Technology can address all learning styles and embrace varied teaching strategies in a way that is more natural to students than teachers.