What is technology integration?

Technology integration is the use of technology to support and further learning within a classroom. This can often bring a real world element to the subject. It provides students with a chance to engage actively in their learning through research and analysis of information and it builds a learning community.

Good technology integration can be determined by observing the growth students show in comparison to results when technology was not used. In Linking Technology, Learning, and School Change, William the teacher tried using the Internet as a further source of data, and had great success in connecting the subject matter being studied in their class to the subject matter as it applies to the world. As a result the students were able to make inferences and predictions about phenomena in their area, based on data from other places that previous students could not.

For technology integration to be successful it must optimize the use of the technology and involve the students on many levels. An example of bad technology integration would be a PowerPoint presentation with 8-point font, top to bottom text, 100 cell charts or presentations that are read verbatim from the slides. Technology must be used appropriately to maximize the learning experience.