| As a teacher, it is very likely you understand the | | | | Simply being tech savvy isn't enough for students to |
| necessity of classroom technology. The area where | | | | make it in the 21st century, nor is it enough for you to |
| perhaps you need help is in the technical training to | | | | be able to prepare your students to be able to |
| make it easy to teach these concepts to your | | | | effectively compete. To date, technology education is |
| students. After all, the technology options of today | | | | not making the grade and part of the problem is a lack |
| have gone way beyond the calculators and overhead | | | | of access to the proper tech training for educators. |
| projectors of yesterday. | | | | Believe it or not, many of the tools you need to |
| If you take a quick look around, you'll see that kids of | | | | expand your capabilities and enhance your classroom |
| today use the Internet to find information, share their | | | | are at your fingertips. |
| research with kids throughout the world and post their | | | | While you can start with the Internet, why not start first |
| thoughts on blogs and social networking sites. If you | | | | with your own school library? Your librarian likely |
| aren't a part of this phenomenon, how do you teach it | | | | already has access to a whole wealth of resources |
| to your kids? Any attempt without the proper training | | | | that can be used to enhance your classroom |
| and they will see right through you. It could easily be a | | | | technology. Perhaps your library offers a variety of |
| case of the student becoming the teacher. | | | | videos for viewing in the classroom or perhaps there is |
| In fact, the PEW Internet & American Life Project | | | | a computer lab within the library itself. Even better, ask |
| discovered 93 percent of teens between the ages of | | | | your librarian. Chances are, he or she has already |
| 12 and 17 are online. Another 89 percent of teens | | | | received training on presenting more technology in their |
| report that technology, in the form of the Internet, cell | | | | own lesson plans. Learn from their knowledge. |
| phones and other devices, make their lives much | | | | Once you have explored this option, look to the |
| easier. Based on this information, classroom technology | | | | Internet and education sites to see what they have to |
| is even more relevant today than previously thought. | | | | offer. There are literally thousands of technological |
| Consider the National School Boards Association study | | | | options online that can be used to introduce classroom |
| which found 96 percent of students with access to | | | | technology beyond face value. If you aren't sure |
| the Internet have used social networking of some kind. | | | | where to start, do a simple Google search on |
| These tools include blogging, instant messaging and | | | | technology options for the classroom and go from |
| online communities. Surprisingly, these students are | | | | there. You may be amazed at what you can find to |
| actually discussing educational topics 59 percent of the | | | | your benefit. |
| time, including schoolwork and college applications. | | | | |