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This article is an excellent summary of why we need to integrate technology into the curriculum.

"What does the iPad have to teach educational technology about how a phenomenon becomes popular and adopted? Quite a bit. First, acceptance is high, with a half-million units sold in the first week of release. Six weeks later, Apple was selling twice as many iPads per week as Mac computers. Given some recent history, this should be surprising-the idea of a tablet device has been around for at least a decade or two, but most such devices have not experienced anything close to wide adoption. However, some specific factors have paved the way for the iPad's adoption. And these factors harbor advice that educational technology would do well to heed. Prime the technology pump. The iPhone, direct predecessor to the iPad, came onto the market amid a wave of technology that permitted small packages to deliver powerful computing. This hardware, including GPS location sensors, fast and efficient microprocessors, and the evolution of touch screen technology was a necessary condition for the emergence and success of both the iPhone and the iPad generation of devices. Define (and answer) the problem. The hugely popular mobile smartphones had an equally huge problem. People hated their interfaces. A decade of frustration with labyrinthian voicemail menus and inscrutable settings had created an army of frustrated mobile phone users with enough pent-up rage to fuel a revolution. By providing a device that was easy to use, the iPhone had identified a core problem and set a new bar for its solution, one that was quickly taken up by many others. Whet undiscovered appetites. The explosion of mobile devices also created for millions the idea of constant, away-from-home connectivity. The iPhone upped the ante significantly by providing a full browsing and even computing experience, giving consumers the expectation that they should be only inches away from powerful, networked computing at all times. Provide the practice. The iPhone defined a new set of touch-based interactions. Whi

The U.S. Department of Education is developing a new National Educational Technology Plan to provide a vision for how information and communication technologies can help transform American education. The plan will provide a set of concrete goals that can inform state and local educational technology plans as well as inspire research, development, and innovation. A draft plan is expected in early 2010.

The U.S. Department of Education is developing a new National Educational Technology Plan to provide a vision for how information and communication technologies can help transform American education. The plan will provide a set of concrete goals that can inform state and local educational technology plans as well as inspire research, development, and innovation. A draft plan is expected in early 2010.

Great questions to promote "technological smartness".

CITED's Lessons Learned for Effective Technology Implementation   Learn ways to address the challenges of integrating technology into the classroom. Hear from district leaders and read the most up-to-date research about effective methods to make technology an integral part of learning in this CITEd article.

CITEd seems like a smart, helpful organization. I like this piece and also their site in general. I wonder how many other organizations/sites are out there like this and what is the best way to choose a small number to follow/use for our technology work.

effective tech management techniques

From the summary: " The NETP presents a model of 21st century learning powered by technology, with goals and recommendations in five essential areas: learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity. The plan also identifies far-reaching "grand challenge problems" that should be funded and coordinated at a national level."

Outstanding stuff, Dan! Thanks for sharing this with us.

GenYES is the only student-centered research-based solution for school-wide technology integration. Students work with teachers to design technology-infused lessons and provide tech support. The resulting collaboration provides the students with project-based learning and the teachers with on-site, sustainable technology integration support.

I supervised the implementation of the GenYES program for three middle schools when I was working in the Schenectady CIty School District. The students really liked supporting teachers and some teachers really bought into the program. I believe it is a valuable collaborative program but sustainability, especially if it is grant funded, can be problematic because of the yearly licensing fees. It's been three years since I worked with Dennis Hooper and the program and the fee schedule be have changed. I know they were doing more online lessons, training, etc. I can provide more information to anyone who is interested.

Important look at the future of technology in education.

Good for us all to think about.  And good to know about an article like this.  I'm seeing a little backlash against "technology"  like this in various articles.  I'll try to gather them up.  

Thanks for sharing this, Rhys. I agree -- this is an important article for all of us to read.

Wow, what an interesting perspective. I'm inclined to believe some of those high-performing schools are excelling *despite* the lack of technology, but I definitely sensed the author's bias here...it almost seemed like she wanted to prove that 'fancy equipment' detracts from real learning.

A recent survey commissioned by Cisco revealed that education is transitioning to the new "connected learning" networked economy, which requires technological skills development for increased global competitiveness in education.

A new Visa ad playing in Australia examining a world in which technology never miniaturized nor went wireless.

Here are some great introductory resources to help teachers get started with integrating technology into their curriculum.

Fantastic resource for all things technology in education

Great source for research based technology in education and educational technology

Writing contest with a technology question for grades 3-12. Online submission.

100 words could win you $100 - or $500 - with a 100-word essay about technology. TeenTribune.com and TweenTribune.com will distribute $10,000 among 60 winning writers.

The future of student technology use!

There are some interesting finds in this article; although, I would say we are all utilizing most of these technologies all ready as part of our practice.

I was just about to add this article when I saw you already had. I agree that we are using many of them. I would like to know more about the Epson projector that is an IWB. I believe that product is somthing to watch!

What is going to influence technology in the next 5 years? What are the critical issues? Read the K-12 edition of the annual Horizon Report

Thanks for sharing this, Sue. Everyone should take a few minutes to read this and also check out the Horizon report.

Draft National Education Technology Policy available for public comment

Thanks for sharing this, Sue. Important reading for ALL!!!!