Personal Reflection

      Upon completion of this project, I learned many things about meaningful learning with technology integration, and really enjoyed the opportunity to search different mediums to further our understanding of how technology can play a role in a classroom. Building a concept map of our understanding, and searching Pinterest was a creative way to understand the concepts at hand.

      Personally, I learned that technology should be a tool that teachers use to help further understanding. It should not replace the teacher completely, but rather be a supplementary resource for them to use.  By incorporating technology into a classroom, students will be more proficient at an emerging life skill and better prepared for the shift into the digital age.

      Given unlimited resources I would certainly apply this concept, by way of allowing each student to have their own computer, in which a personal email, twitter, and other accounts would be set up to allow the students to stay connected to the class. By remaining linked, students can see how lessons from class appear outside of the classroom, then post or email for the rest of the class to see.  This outside sharing of information fosters even more learning, but in a way that appeals to the digital generation.

      With the rise in technology, the question for me remains why haven't more teachers chosen to move into the social media age? Children and teenagers alike are the booming demographic on social media, and it should be harnessed as an up and coming assistive tool to engage students. Using Facebook, Twitter, and other social media can serve as a technology integration that will not overtake the classroom but instead expand its possibilities.