Journal 6

"Technology Integration: What Happens Now?"
by Linda Merillat, Jennifer Holvoet, & Doug Adams

Changes in federal funding have stripped educators of the professional development and technological assistance provided by R*TECs, which was a program to help states, schools, districts, and other educational institutions employ advanced technologies to raise teacher and student achievement. Nonetheless, the authors of this article identify resources to aid teachers and schools with technological integration. There are teacher and learning resources available that create lessons, quizzes, and rubrics for teachers and others that provide study resources for students. Mentoring programs are available to assist educators with technology integration and a handbook has been compiled consisting of the best resources in lesson plans, lesson ideas, and technological tips. There are also resources available providing effective online learning programs for teachers, administrators, and students as well as sites dedicated to providing resources for differentiated instruction.

1)How will federal funding cutbacks affect your classroom?
I do not think that federal cutback on programs like R*TECs will have too much of an affect. There are an abundance of outside resources available to teachers if they are willing to put the work and research into finding them. I hope that I will have the determination and motivation to seek and attain outside resources.

2) Who is responsible for providing schools with successful technological integration?
I believe the responsibility is shared by all parties involved. Students need to be prepared for a technological based society; therefore, the federal government should have a financial commitment. Districts, schools, and teachers also must consistently find new ways to incorporate and improve technologies used in education.