Technology use refers to having technological devices available for students and teachers to use, but not necessarily integrating them into classroom lessons in a meaningful way. Technology integration focuses on using available devices significantly within classroom instruction to promote engaged learning. When used productively, technology like the internet can provide students and teachers easy access to a variety of educational resources and allow students to learn in deeper, more immediate ways. Examples of effective technology integration include teachers sharing an author's website to help students understand story elements, and using technology to enhance learning for students with special needs.

1. Technology Use vs. Technology Integration By Holly Hopkins

2. What is Technology Use? Technology use is having computers, internet, televisions, SmartBoards, and other technological devices available for student and teacher use

3. With technology use, students have access to technology, but they may not be using in the best way possible An example of this would be allowing students to play MathBlaster to practice math problems

4. How is Technology Use Different than Integration? Technology integration takes all of the devices that are available to teachers and makes significant use of them within the classroom

5. Schools should focus less on whether or not to have computers and technology and more on how they can use them productively

6. Why Technology Integration? “ Technology can be an appropriate vehicle for promoting meaningful, engaged learning” (Learning Point) Multimedia like the Internet, “promise to offer easy access to everything from historical documents to breaking news” for students and teachers (Edutopia) “ Computer-based tools allow students to learn in a deeper and more immediate way” (Edutopia)

7. Examples of Technology Integration “A teacher can share an author's Web site with young children to help them understand how writers make their stories interesting and fun to read” ( Learning Point) There are many new uses of technology that schools can provide to students with special needs to enhance their learning

8. References Learning Point Associates. “Critical Issue: Promoting Technology Use in Schools.” http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te200.htm Edutopia. “The World at Your Fingertips.” http://www.edutopia.org/world-your-fingertips