Technology Infused Classroom

     A technology-infused classroom would more than likely look either like you have entered a classroom on the Enterprise in Star Trek or (for us sane and not so technology-knowledgeable) a regular classroom with computers, maybe a Smartboard, the use of clickers and students actively engaged in learning through collaboration and discovery.  This also includes the role of the teacher - a facilitator, not a supervisor; the teacher roaming, monitoring, assisting and questioning motives and reasons why.  Lessons would be unique to each learner or grouping and scaffolded so each student is engaged, participating and learning the content addressed. As a teacher we know we cannot just throw together a lesson  and “hope for the best” - especially when technology is involved.  The teacher must take time to plan and prepare the lessons that allow the students to work on the concepts in ways that are meaningful to them and support their learning style. To make the transition and learning successful the teacher must structure the environment for learning.    Expectations, maybe in the form of rubrics or surveys, are presented and explained before lesson so the student has a clear idea of what is expected of them and how their work will be graded.   We should be promoting environments that emphasize partnership, collaboration and communication and teaching those skills alongside of academics.  Learning should be along several lessons rather than one and activities should be planned with a goal in mind.  In the classroom, we need to remember that technology is used as a resource not the sole instructor. 

As a special education teacher I plan on having technology that not only enhances my instruction and student learning but assists my students to attain those goal by the use of word predication programs, text to speech programs, mobile word processor, and devices such as the Smartpen (great tool for speech therapist by the way!) and projectors to reach all learning types.  Not only would I concentrate in getting these supportive devices, I believe training and sharing the information learned with others is also as important.  Taking special care to train each student and share their progress with parents also is important in my classroom.  I do not want to look like I work for NASA but I would like to have a classroom environment that enables my students to be part of the 21st Century, have a fighting chance in the real world by learning real-life skills and have the the means to a good education at their fingertips.