Skills learned in isolation are lost, therefore, our goal must be to integrate a skill across the curriculum, in business, and in the home and community experience.
To be truly integrated, all classrooms across the campus and district provide students with technology tools and applications, integrate these into their curriculum with authentic assessment, measuring & monitoring student progress in technology skills. There can not be "gaps" due to non-participating faculty. Faculty accountability is essential!
Integration demands that skills be taught across the curriculum.
In MATH: The social studies teacher helps students to analyze statistics and create computer graphics to visualize population changes over time. The science teacher requires students to chart time over growth of an organism and the language arts teacher requires students to calculate the reading level of any written work that they produce.
Using technology throughout the curriculum, creates an environment where all students have access to supplemental tools in every classroom, for all kinds of applications, and for all types of problem-solving activities.
Students in a 9th grade
Algebra II class learn to use calculators (along with their teacher) from an interactive
program on the Web. Students integrate calculator skills in Physics, AP Bio II,
Algebra I, and Technology Classes. They integrate Internet skills across
the curriculum, in every class, in all subject areas, on a regular basis.
Something wonderful happens when students gain broad experiences with technology tools -- they become competent.