Before you delve into the "how to's" of technology, let's first consider the "why do's". Think about this quote and how it pertains to your use of technology:
“As to methods, there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. The man who tries methods by ignoring principles is sure to have trouble.”
It can be easy to get caught up in what others are doing or be wowed by a vendor's sales presentation, however, it is important to keep in mind the goal or task that you are trying to achieve, and whether integrating technology will help you achieve that goal.
But let's take a step back, what is your goal? What are you trying to accomplish? After watching the following videos, consider how Sir Ken Robinson's and Marc Prensky's ideas for education compares to your own. Then start to think about if/how technology integration can make a difference.
Thinking about the goals that you have for your students are the first step in planning for technology use. Looking for tools to use without a purpose will likely end in poor results for your students.
Technology integration should consider the following:
If you answer yes to these three questions, then proceed with your plan to integrate tech. If you answer "no" or "I don't know" to any of these questions, reassess your need to use technology. You may have already planned a great lesson without it!