Journal 2

As I See It: Infusion or Integration by Kimberley Ketterer.

With regard to technology in the classroom, Kimberley Ketterer found that many in the education field; teachers, students and administrators alike, used the words infusion and integration both interchangably and incorrectly. In the article, infusion was defined, with regard to technology, as acquisition and accessibility of hardware and/or software for students and teachers to use in the classroom. Integration was defined as using technology appropriately and seamlessly as a tool for learning and teaching in the classroom.

Ketterer goes on to say that educators have always been acquiring and using new technology, citing pencils, pens and overhead projectors as prior technological advances; the difference with today's technological advances is their high cost coupled with how quickly technology becomes obsolete.

Questions:
1. How can I make sure my students have access to new technology in my classroom? As an educator, I have to be persistent and pursue all avenues of technology funding available. This might mean writing a proposal to your School Site Council, PTA or Foundation and maintaining close contact with administrators and those at the District Office that demonstrate an affinity for technology. Pursue all available grants, as time permits, of course, and push for technology for all students.
2. How can I integrate technology with the grade-level standards in a meaningful way? With so much emphasis on benchmark testing and "teaching to the test," it seems impossible to think of incorporating technology, too. It's not impossible. Use the internet as a resource of other teachers who have integrated technology into their regular curriculum and look for programs like Accelerated Math or Successmaker that teach the grade-level standards and allow children to proceed at their own pace.