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4. Seek out Web-based professional development. I am finding that Web-based training is very appealing to classroom teachers simply because there is no time in a school day to learn how to use/integrate technology. In many districts today, planning time has been significantly reduced. This leaves teachers with either early morning, after school, weekend, or Web-based training as the only options for technolgoy professional development. Web-based training, if designed effectively and utilized rich multimedia, gives teachers convenient anytime, anwhere training. In fact, I created a Blackboard course about Blackbord that utilizes interactive streaming flash video. If a teacher wants to learn how to create and and suggestions for integrating a wiki in a Blackboard course, they simply watch a streaming video on how to accomplish this. This, then, allows teachers to apply skills and have complete control over their own learning/training pace. I think more teachers need to inquire/push for Web-based technology professional development to their I.T. departments and administrators; not just be provided with hyperlinks to online tutorials that merely show you how to use educational software.

he technology integration module is meant for use either after completion of the project-based learning module or with participants who are familiar with project-based learning. The module is designed for a two- to three-hour class or session. It can be used in conjunction with trainings of software applications that are used in classroom settings. "We're Here to Raise Kids": Character Development Is Key: Students prepare a day ahead for Ben Franklin Broadcast News by downloading images to be used as backdrops for the credits. Credit: Kathleen Duxbury Part One, Guided Process, is designed to give participants a brief introduction to technology integration. It answers the questions "Why is technology integration important?"; "What is technology integration?"; and "How do you integrate technology into the classroom?" Part Two, Group Participation, guides participants in envisioning technology integration. It asks participants to visit various educational Web sites. The participants are then asked to brainstorm ideas for technology integration garnered from visiting and discussing these sites. The tasks will be accomplished using group collaboration and han

Always run through a technology lesson before presenting it to the class -- and always have a back-up lesson prepared in case the technology fails.

Type directions for frequently used computer operations -- opening programs, inserting clip art, printing documents, and so on -- on index cards, laminate them, and connect them with a circle ring. Keep a set next to each computer.

When working on lengthy technology projects, print out step-by-step instructions. Include some that say "Save your work; do not go any further until you help your neighbors reach this point."