Key Features of a Technology Integrated Classroom

There are several key areas to consider when starting on the endeavour of integrating technology into your classroom. Below, are some areas that seems to be passed over, but are important to think about when wanting to do this.

Factor one: Lack of infrastructure for using technology

In order for teachers to fully utilise technology, they need to make sure that the school building actually has the capacity to allow them to do so. If the internet band width is weak, the wiring is not in place, or there aren't enough tools for everyone to use, then the actual use of technology in the classroom will fail. Whether the teacher wants class iPads or just wants to be able to show videos to students in school, there must be the capability to do so. 

So if this is a true want and desire for a teacher, the administration must be made aware.

Factor two: Lack of professional development

One of the reasons that teachers don't want to try technology integration is that they have never been taught how to effectively use different forms of technology. Schools must invest in various ways to get teacher training so that teachers feel comfortable using a tool. 

Factor three: Lack of resources

This factor is similar to the lack of infrastructure. Teachers must have the resources available to them in order to actually integrate technology. Whether a school provides laptops to students or individual iPads, the school needs to figure out a system if teachers are to integrate technology as much as possible.

Factor four: Thinking through classroom management

A big area that teachers tend to forget to think through is how will students use the technology properly. What are the rules? For getting tools out? For putting them away? When are the students allowed to use the tools?

There are many areas that teachers should consider involving the management part of technology integration beforehand.

Factor five: Selecting the tools that will be the most effective

Once the above mentioned factors are thought through, it is time to think about the specific tools that will be used. Maybe the tools are picked for you by the school, like individual iPads. Or maybe you decide what you want for your classroom. But at the end of the day, what will you use? What apps will you use? What can be added to the day that will be effective and efficient and not take away from learning?

The Initial Integration of Technology into the Classroom

You may ask yourself "why should I integrate technology in my classroom"; "I've been teaching for many years now, and technology is just another one of those fads that has been introduced, but it will fade away soon too". Well, if you are thinking along the same lines, following this blog may interest you.

Education has the goal to educate students in order that they may enter life after school with the ability to function well. Technology has become a reality in today's world that can be used to support this initiative. If teachers have the goal of teaching students how to properly function in life, then they need to teach their students how to use technology appropriately and wisely. 

One of the ways in to use a blog in the classroom. A blog is a tool that can affectively encourage students to collaborate on material learned in the classroom, as well as for the teacher to communicate with students on various topics. So the question is how can you practically use blogs in your classroom? Well, one of the first ways is to have a blog just for other teachers to view. In my own experience, seeing how other 5th grade teachers do classroom management, teach fractions, or do centers has been a great asset for me to improve my own teaching. Another way, is to create a classroom blog that your students can view and publish on; students can ask questions and other students can answer, or the teacher can publish a project and the students can see examples. In a sense, a blog can act as a WebQuest.

Another question you might be asking yourself is what is the impact for both teachers and students? At first, the impact might not be seen because there is a lot of initial set-up. Nevertheless, overtime, the classroom can be so changed that students are overly excited for school and the teacher can do more student-centered learning that teacher-centered. The trend towards student-centered learning can continue to be reached and achieved when blogs are used in the classroom.


An additional question that you may ask is are there any potential problems and/or risks with blog use in the classroom? With any new endeavour there is always the potential to have problems. To succeed in this world though, a problem has to be taken head-on and a growth mindset has to be seized. There will be problems with using a blog in the classroom such as internet problems or misalignment with curriculum, but these problems will eventually be taken out and the successes will outweigh the problems. As far as risks, there could be. Like misuse of the blog and not following netiquette, but along with problems these risks can be mitigated and students can be trained to properly use the blog.

May these initial questions be eased and may you wish to continue on to exploring how to use a blog in your own classroom!