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Integrating technology into the classroom: eight keys to success.

Article Excerpt
There are many issues related to the successful use of technology in the classroom. Some of the more salient include securing necessary annual funding, the development of dynamic plans, and decisions concerning platforms, hardware, T1 lines, software, and so forth. While these are perhaps the most obvious considerations, an often-overlooked but crucial determinant of whether technology succeeds or fails in the classroom is a less than obvious one...the teacher. While attention to choosing the appropriate hardware and software for the classroom is prerequisite, it is the skill and attitude of the teacher that determines the effectiveness of technology integration into the curriculum.

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Fullan (1982, p. 107), a renowned expert in change theory, stated that "educational change depends on what teachers do and think--it's as simple and complex as that." Yet, it seems, teachers are often overlooked when technology is discussed. Before technology can effect changes in the classroom, those ultimately responsible for the classroom must be considered. Teachers must learn to use technology and must allow it to change their present teaching paradigm. This is not an easy task because change can seem intimidating and threatening. Additionally, teachers lack good models to emulate for the effective integration of technology into the curriculum.

Through many years of working with teachers and technology, and through a synthesis of research, the authors have developed eight areas of consideration that has been shown to be important to allow teachers to successfully integrate technology into the curriculum. These areas are:

1. FEAR of change

2. TRAINTNG in basics

3. PERSONAL use

4. TEACHING models

5. LEARNING based

6. CLIMATE

7. MOTIVATION

8. SUPPORT

Fear, anxiety, and concern that teachers have about change must be addressed. Adults do not change easily. Change of any kind...

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