Reflection #3:  My Reflections on Technology Integration

            Technology should be a very important piece of the education system.  If teachers have the knowledge and skills to know how to incorporate technology, it can help to improve the education of students.  I think that the key, in order for technology to have a positive impact on education, is for teachers to be able to move through each of the five steps: familiarization, utilization, integration, reorientation, and evolution. 
            In my opinion, the most important step is reorientation.  Reorientation means that teachers have not only tried out technology but that they are willing to embrace it and use it to enhance the student learning.  I think that many times teachers are too focused on the familiarization, and utilization aspects.  They are more focused on their own instruction than the student’s learning.  Reorientation is the next step that allows a teacher to improve the quality of education.             
            I think that technology should be used in a way that reaches the most different learning styles possible.  Children should be able to benefit from the technology that is available to them and make it easier to learn.  When I think of classrooms that incorporate technology well, I think of a class that children can research information using books and computers and create videos, slideshows, podcasts, and posters to improve the learning.  I think that technology can, in many instances, make learning more fun for children.  When children are having fun they generally get more out of their experiences.  It is important that the teacher can let the children explore the technology.  I think when there are lots of different types of technologies available to children this is easier. 
            I would like to incorporate educational technology in my own classroom.  I can definitely see myself moving slowly though the five different steps.  I think it is important that teachers progress through the steps but do not get “stuck” at one spot without moving forward.  Eventually, I would like to feel comfortable at the evolution phase so that I will be able to challenge my students and keep current technology in my classroom.  I want to use technology in a student centered way instead of focusing on how my own teaching style is affected.