Cliff Hutto

Columbus State University

To best implement technology into the classrooms, there are some essential conditions that must be met:A Shared Vision for Technology IntegrationStandards and Curriculum SupportRequired PoliciesAccess to Hardware, Software, and Other

ResourcesSkilled PersonnelTechnical AssistanceAppropriate Teaching and Assessment ModelsEngaged Community

In order to fully integrate technology, teachers and staff members need support from the following groups:The SchoolThe School DistrictThe StateThe Local Community

Students must not only learn the curriculum of the subject, but also learn technology skills.

Technology should be integrated into the curriculum in order to satisfy both the standards of curriculum and technology.

The following policies must be put into place when integrating technology:Online use policyLegal/ethical policyPolicies to ensure equity

Technology must be readily available for ALL students

Financial assistance, incentives, and accountability policy

Schools must determine how to get the most use out of technology based on the budget that is given to them.

There must be input from teachers when it comes to the purchasing of hardware and software.

Technology should be kept safe, cared for properly, and maintained sufficiently in order to ensure the longevity of equipment.

Because of the rapid changes in technology, educators must be trained continuously on new technology and the different uses of technology.Having individual program training works

better than training on multiple programs at once.

It is also more widely accepted if the training occurs on a paid day that teachers must be there (in-service days).

The school must have a technical team in place to handle complicated problems.Teachers can be trained on basic trouble-

shooting, but should not be expected to solve major technical issues.

The technical team must also be available to help when teachers need problems about technology answered.

Teachers should know how to use and implement the four types of technology integration models:SubstitutionAugmentationModificationRedefinition

The local community must be on board with the integration of technology.

Gaining support from local community can be done by:Inviting community members in to show them

how the technology is being used.Partnering with other schools and local

businesses.Educating members of the community on the

technology that is being integrated.

As a department, these conditions are what we implement best:Shared vision for technology integrationStandards and curriculum supportRequired policiesAppropriate teaching and assessment modelsSkilled personnel*

*Our department has faculty members that have the ability to become very skilled in the use of technology. However, the training that we go through should be focused on one program at a time.

The skills that we need improvement on are:Access to hardware, software, and other

resources**Our department members (or teachers in the

school), are not involved in the decision making of what hardware or software is implemented.

Technical assistanceEngaged community

Roblyer, M. & Doering, A. (2013). Integrating Educational Technology Into Teaching (7th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon