A technology-infused classroom is a place where the teacher and students have access to and use various forms of technology to complete projects, solve problems, collaborate, and learn. Technology comes in many forms. It can be a digital camera, video recorder, access to the Internet, editing software, video games, Podcasts, White Boards, Smart Boards, iPods/iPads, Blogs, Wiki’s, computer software, collaboration sites, virtual field trips, the overhead projector, the chalkboard, projected and non-projected visuals. The list goes on and there are many more emerging technologies. In these classes students are learning to tap into resources that are available by the push of a button or the click of a mouse. The classroom is no longer defined by the four walls that surround it but rather defined by what the whole world has to offer.
I work in a preschool setting. At the preschool age it is extremely important that the students spend ample time handling actual materials to increase their learning. A virtual environment for these youngsters is a bit of a stretch. There are a few good ways to infuse technology into the preschool setting. The first and probably easiest is listening stations, i.e. books/music on CD or iPods. Another simple piece of technology is the use of the flip camera. The children can use these to document their work or take pictures of friends. This is a hands-on activity that allows them to be creative. With the teachers help, e-books, photo stories and videos can be easily put together. Using an interactive white board exposes children to the new technology and really it is the next step from the non-projected charts, graphs and visuals I currently use.
In my class, I do have a listening station with CD. I look forward to getting an iPod, a digital camera, and maybe someday soon I will find myself lucky enough to have an interactive white board. This is something I will work towards.
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