Finding the right technology tools, which are inexpensive, productive, and easy to use, is always difficult. Knowing what to do to effectively and efficiently implement these tools into our classrooms is yet another hurdle. Giving oneself the time and patience to integrate technology as an integral part of one's professional practice is perhaps one of the greatest challenges.

Our Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) Technology web space is designed to help you as an ACE educator learn where inexpensive or FREE resources are online, the how-to's of using those resources, and examples of how those resources are currently being used in classrooms across the country. Further examples of the "how" to integrate technology into the curriculum will also be provided. For our ACE schools, online technology tools will be introduced that are inexpensive or FREE to help with school communication and collaboration. For those community members who express a desire to assist our ACE schools, suggestions of how to assist in the area of technology will also be provided.

There are several stages or levels of technology integration or adoption of any innovation. Which stage currently describes where you are with technology usage and integration?

Stage 1 - Entry or Awareness (You are gaining the knowledge, the "how-to's.")

Stage 2 -Adoption or Learning the process (You understand the process and are making some changes to include technology in your teaching.)

Stage 3 - Adaptation or Understanding and application of the process (You are making clear and educated decisions on what technology tools to use and why they are effective with student learning.)

Stage 4 - Appropriation or Familiarity and confidence (You are at the stage of implementing technology tools regularly into your teaching to improve student learning with ease and confidence.)

Stage 5 - Invention or Adaptation and Creative Applications to other contexts (You are a confirmed believer that the integration of technology into your teaching is critical and vital to improve student learning and to keep the creative side of you energized.)

As a busy and often overwhelmed teacher, you need to give yourself time to learn new technologies and to incorporate them into your teaching. You may never reach Stage 5 where you are creating new ways of using the technology and that is perfectly fine! You must remember that with each new technology that becomes available, we all return to Stage 1. The good news is that we go through the various stages at a much faster pace as we become familiar with the technology in general. The keys are to take SMALL STEPS initially, become familiar with ONE aspect of technology that you see relates to one of YOUR GOALS, and find a TECH BUDDY (either at your school or online) whom you can bounce off ideas with as well as laugh and cry with to know you are not alone in your technology journey. Enjoy the ride!