Enhance your class with technology

I have to admit, when I first started teaching, the idea of integrating any technology into the classroom was a scary one. I didn't realize that something as simple as a calculator was considered "technology". I was later assigned to be a trial teacher on a new distance learning lab the school had adopted which allowed me to teach my class and another class halfway across the city. It was interesting and it calmed my fears of using technology. Here are three suggestions I have for integrating technology into your classroom. 1) Use the computer lab whenever you can. There are a multitude of online educational games available that your students will love. They are simultaneously working on math and having fun. So much is learned in this situation. You'll see sides of the kids you've never seen before. 2) Use calculators. I know that graphing calculators can be scary if you are not familiar with them, but there are several onlinve resources that will give you grade level activities to do with the graphing calculators that this kids will love! 3) Encourage your students to email you when they have homework questions or when they just want to say hi. Students need to be technology savvy in the world today, and I am a firm believer that this starts in the classroom.