Last post I mentioned that incorporating technology into the classroom is essentially the “grand purpose” of what we are moving towards. It doesn’t have to be some elaborate, difficult endeavor (although, trust me, there will be some of those too). This is an adventure, and essentially, we are learning how to navigate the digital media and technology to use it to create products that can be introduced in the classroom to engage in lessons or to have students use the platform to create their own product that aids them in engaging with the new material.

Since we are just starting out here, I want to share with you my goals for the technology and digital media I use in my classroom. If you notice, I have included a collage in this post. I created this collage (I used collage wizard to create my collage) to represent my goals and purposes for the technology and digital media that I intend on using in the classroom. (Side note: a collage is an easy and fun way to get students engaged in a subject or explore rigorous content. There are a wide range of free online platforms and apps that can be used. Students can create a collage to discuss a topic from a novel or poem, or they can create a collage that represents their own writing. But I digress.)

I have four goals for incorporating technology and digital media in my classes. 1. I want to use a plethora of technology that supports different learning styles. One great thing about many of the platforms out there is they provide students a variety of ways to create their product (they can talk, record, draw, take picture, write, etc.) Now, not all technology and digital media is going to be as versatile. Some technology is going to be very specific, and that’s okay because the goal here is to bring in different types of technology and digital media in order to make sure I am providing materials that complement all of the different learners I have in my classes. 2. The technology should help incorporate my students interests and make the learning process fun. We all know not every activity or lesson is going to be fun for each student, but it is my hope that with this technology the students are able to have as much fun as possible and lets the students incorporate their own interests as well.

3. The technology and digital media will allow the students to be a part of the world outside of their city limits. I am currently working at an IB (International Baccalaureate) World School, and being culturally aware and inclusive is a focus in each class. Most of the students in my classes haven’t travelled any father than one state over, so I want them to be able to access the world. (I know that sounds like one of those “grand” goals, but technology and digital media can truly connect us to the whole world through education, creation, and interaction.) 4. This last goal is probably the most important to me. The technology and digital media should aid in the students education. I am not talking about ONLY academic education. The technology and digital media can be used to educate them socially, creatively, personally, culturally, etc. One amazing thing able technology is there are not that many barriers. If you can’t find what you are looking for on one platform or software, there are more just waiting to be explored and might just be the answer to what you seek.

I lied. I have a fifth goal. The technology and digital media (for the most part) should be easily accessible. I do not mean that it should be easy for students to learn and navigate (although that is not a bad idea). I mean that I want my students to be able to have access to it. I do not want them to have to pay for it themselves. I work at a school where over 70 percent of the student population is living below the poverty line. We are so lucky to be living in a time with technology and digital media at our fingertips, and as educators, it should be a priority to make sure that each student will be able to have access to the media or technology we assign them. There are so many free platforms out there and softwares that our county and school provides that are just waiting for us to take advantage of and bring into our classrooms, and that is exactly what I intend on doing.