What?
Technology integration in the classroom, not just hardware but looking directly into software options that can improve class engagement and the learning process for students. Finding options for teachers to be even more effective in the classroom and utilize the technology that is already available.

So What?
Technology has been integral to the education system throughout history, but even more so with the 21st century. As educators we need to make sure we are providing students with an education that enables them to succeed in today’s society, and that means using and educating with and on technology. We have to use what tools are available to us as educators to provide students with the best education possible. We have to adapt to the fast development of technology and help prepare students for a life that will ever more be reliant on technology. Technology has the ability to help educators be more efficient and effective with their teaching strategies, how to best accomplish this is making sure we are using the right tools. This inquiry looks directly into the tools that are available to help educators integrate technology without large investments and without extensive technological experience. Instead finding easy to use and fun softwares that are already available for practically free that teachers can immediately integrate into their lessons.

How?
Implementing technology into the classroom doesn’t need to be a huge hassle and ordeal for teachers, there is so much software available that you can just use what works best for you. For example the PlanBoard App is useful for managing class units and lesson plans. Although not used directly in the classroom it makes a teachers job easier and therefore more efficient. Even just using particular education websites with the class can provide more interactive lessons, homework support, more extensive explanations and supplementary practice work. For example even if your class doesn’t have access to the necessary hardware available then as the teacher just use your own computer to show a map or digital visualization for the lesson topic. These are the opportunities we as educators need to be capitalizing on.

Now What?
There are tons of studies to support the success of technology in the classroom. The more we look at technology in the classroom the more we realize how important it is to be using, and yet there are still many teachers who are not comfortable using technology in the classroom. This is a never-ending topic but it is a sure thing that technology incorporation in the classrooms is necessary. So now it is time for teachers to work together and collaborate, to streamline the huge process of developing successful teaching strategies around technology – to share successful software or app experiences so that teachers who are less tech savvy can start to use it more in their own classrooms. Technology will continue to change and develop and so the faster we can start making it a norm in the classrooms the better equipped we will be for those changes, and the better equipped our students will be for the future.