In a study conducted to look at students’ experiences in integrating technology in the classroom, it was found that communication between the teachers and faculty was increased, but that student learning was insufficient (Brown & Warschauer, 2006). In conjunction with this research, I believe that I will experience similar results in regards to teacher to teacher information sharing.  I am confident that using technology in the classroom is reinforced through teacher’s response and willingness to integrate it in to the curriculum.  I also believe that as we are currently experiencing a new learning curve, it will take time to fully implement the use of technology in a student-centered approach. I believe that through the interactions between teachers, we will gain a better understanding of how technology can be utilized within the classroom. Yet, I also believe that students will gain from the use of technology.  Therefore, not only will the use of technology in the classroom change the way that students learn, it will also give teachers more opportunity to collaborate and learn from what others have tried and tested in their classrooms.

Brown, D. & Warschauer, M. (2006). From the University to the Elementary Classroom: Students’ Experiences in Learning to Integrate Technology in Instruction. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 14(3), 599-621. Chesapeake, VA: Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education.

The Edutopia article “ Frictionless Formative Assessment with Social Media”, offers many helpful ways to integrate social media and technology into the classroom and for use as a formative assessment tool. As social media has become increasingly more popular, it is useful to use a medium of assessment that the students are familiar with.  It also encourages the use of approved technology.  Students are going to interact with technology whether or not it is used in the classroom, but integrating social media and other familiar online reporting tools, the teacher is able to not only offer students immediate feedback on their work, but also introduced students to media literacy.  I believe that introducing students to media literacy at a young age is imperative. So not only is it important to utilize technology and social media in the classroom, I feel it is equally as important to introduce students to media literacy; understanding how to properly post as well as what is information that should be shared and information that needs to be kept personal.

Alfonzo, Paige (2014).  Frictionless formative assessment with social media. Retrieved from: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/frictionless-formative-assessment-social-media-paige-alfonzo