Technology has had a major impact on people’s lives today now more than it ever has before. Technology has many different purposes outside of the classroom as well as its purpose inside the classroom. Teachers are now expected to be able to teach and use technology in a safe and productive way. All teachers need to feel comfortable with using technology in their classroom because technology can be a positive tool to support learning. After being in my Critical Media Literacy course, I have learned the benefits of using technology in a classroom. I learned different tools and applications that support learning in a classroom setting. Technology has many different uses such as communicating with students and parents, helping keep track of assignments and due dates, using applications that enhance learning, and it is a way for children to learn in a different, nontraditional way. Schools around the world are implementing technology in their classrooms for many reasons. Technology integration is the use of technology resources such as computers, mobile devices (smartphones and tablets), social media platforms, applications, and internet in daily classroom practices (What is Successful Technology Integration, 2007). More and more children are using technology and teachers need to be able to teach students safe and positive ways to use technology. Rapid advances in technology and living in a media-driven environment have had a major impact on the way we communicate and learn which is a major reason schools are implementing technology in every classroom. Students are going to be expected to know how to use technology once they are out of high school so implementing technology in every classroom is important. “When technology integration is at its best, a child or a teacher doesn't stop to think that he or she is using a technology tool -- it is second nature. And students are often more actively engaged in projects when technology tools are a seamless part of the learning process” (What is Successful Technology Integration, 2007). There are many reasons to support technology integration and there are various ways to make it happen.....
References: National Association for the Education of Young Children [NAEYC] and the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College. (2012, January). Technology and interactive media as tools for early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved April 6th, 2018 from http://www.naeyc.org/content/technology-and-young-children.