Answer to Question 1

The first question asked us to consider what successful technology integration means and what it looks like.

I guess I would have to say that for the integration of technology to be successful, the use of technology would have to be completely normal and not out of the ordinary.  If students get excited because they get to use the Smartboard or go to the computer lab, then maybe that means those technologies haven't been fully integrated into instruction.  Or, on the flip side, if the teacher has to make special plans or go out of their way to use technology, then it probably hasn't been fully integrated.  When the students come to expect to use technology and are comfortable using, manipulating, and exploring different technologies, then that would be a good sign that it has probably been fully integrated.

When I was student teaching my school was one of a few that received a grant for an artist in residence to come and help the students produce a video.  The topics were math and science, and the students made videos explaining or demonstrating scientific experiments and math in everyday life.  Everyone was involved in the process of filming the video, and everyone was involved editing the video.  They each got to use a program to edit all of the clips and make their own movie.  It was awesome to see the girls realize how math comes into play while shopping, and to see other students going through the steps of the scientific method with a view to teaching it to someone else.  Making the movie reinforced what they learned in class and gave them new ways to use technology.