Integrating Technology in Education

Technology is and has been an important part of everyday life, even a thousand years ago. It is not just high-tech equipment, it is tons of things that we find around us, and use everyday. Technology is beneficial in education to both teachers and students. Technology increases teacher productivity, and gives us unique instructional capabilities. It increases student motivation and prepares them for the future.
Technology is more than computer chips and DVD players. One thousand years ago, technology was the quill and inkwell, which replaced chiseling on the rock walls of caves. One hundred years ago, new technology was the fountain pen and the lead pencil. Ten years ago, we all got computers to write with. All around us every day there is technology from the light switches and wall clocks to the cell phones and high-speed Internet. In your house you could not cook your food without it, you couldn't drive or ride the bus to work without it, and you definitely wouldn't be reading this memo over the email without the use of technology. Most importantly, everyday new technology is being created to improve our lives and the lives of our children.

Technology is beneficial to teachers in education. It makes record keeping easier for both grading and attendance. Keeping records on the computer lessens paperwork and makes calculating totals easier and more accurate. Technology allows teachers to create data driven instruction. Through the Internet, more accurate information is obtainable more quickly. Technology such as computer software and digital cameras enable teachers to produce better looking, "student friendly", teacher made materials much faster than by hand. Finally, technology helps teachers produce multimedia and information sources such as websites, presentations, and customized computer based instruction for use in the classroom.