Educational Technology Basics

The increasing presence of technology in our daily lives can't be denied. As a society we have embraced these tools because they increase our access to information, our productivity, our connections to others, and the speed at which we can communicate. Where these tools are effective tools in the workplace and home, they can and are effective tools in the classroom for increasing student learning.

Unfortunately, many teachers inexperienced with using the latest hardware and software in the classroom can be intimidated by them and instead turn to their "tried and true" methods. While we want our teachers to feel comfortable and confident when teaching, we also want each other to challenge ourselves and question we are using the best possible methodologies and resources to help our students learn. Nearly 100% of the time, teachers who learn about educational technology tools they can use in the classroom, end up using them regularly in the classroom. Take a minute to read the through the pages below to learn more about what educational technology is and some of the basic tools and strategies for using it in the your classroom.