W3_Reading

Theodore J. Kopcha wrote A systems-based approach to technology integration using mentoring and communities of practice.  In this he focuses on four main steps to integrating technology into curriculum as a whole.  I have already been involved in a failed attempt at technology integration and can see at which point in Kopcha's theory we failed.  It takes time to integrate technology and the teachers need to be a part of the planning.  Just putting technology into place does not ensure that it will be utilized, nor that it will be effective.  Once technology is introduced, the teachers must be trained so that they can successfully integrate it into their curriculum.  Technology is a great tool that needs to be controlled because the minute we allow it to become something other than a tool for education is the minute it loses its value.