Introduction

Georgia is spending millions of dollars providing technology for public school systems. Investments continue to climb as technology permeates every aspect of life in the 21st century. Educators today have the awesome responsibility of preparing and empowering students to face an increasingly technological world.

Supplying students with the physical aspects of technology is the easy part. Hardware, software, peripherals, wiring, etc. appear almost like magic in computer labs, classrooms, and libraries in school systems across the state. It is left to educators to take these powerful tools and use them to integrate the curriculum in such a way as to increase student learning.

Staff development in technology is the indispensable element needed to translate millions of dollars into measurable increased student learning. Staff development should be based on best practices for using and integrating technology. This white paper will discuss Best Practices for Using and Integrating Technology for Grades 6-12. It will discuss the principles of best practices and the criteria for choosing them, summarize a variety of effective strategies, and emphasize the role that assessments play in evaluating student learning.

Best practices

Best practices of technology integration refers to acquired knowledge of activities and utilization that supports the educational curriculum. By definition, best practices includes essential skills that must be mastered as well as means of developing mastery. Best practices are compilations of expert advice based on research or, simply, the "tried and true" methods of ensuring students will achieve necessary skills for a technologically literate society.

Principles

• Best practices used for technology integration
• Obstacles & Solutions for technology integration
• Teacher resources that support technology use

Strategies

• Teaching strategies for incorporating technology
• Technology resources to use in the classroom

Assessment

• Assessing the use of technology
• Identifying criteria and implementing performance assessment in the classroom
• Resources for creating rubrics.