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You’ve likely been reading about the importance of understanding and implementing technology into your classroom in an increasingly digital world, but trying to figure out how to integrate technology into the classroom can be a daunting task. With so much new technology and so many constantly changing edtech trends, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out where to start, especially for those of us who are less tech savvy. But do not fret! There are many ways to integrate technology into your classroom with ease, such as:

In fifth grade, I used to creep to the basement after my parents were sleeping to play The Sims on our computer until well after midnight, often on school nights with no concern for having to be up early for school the next day. In high school, I would go to the library and sit at the computer farthest away from the library information desk, turning my screen so that no one could see me logging onto gaming sites during my “research” periods, or trying to use proxy servers to get onto MySpace and AIM. These are the experiences that sit fresh in my mind as I find myself in this ironic-but-necessary position on the other side of the digital battle against accessing restricted content at school.

Education has been a hugely important part of my life for as long as I can remember. Even from the time I was a little girl—up through middle school and high school—education was all around me. I saw my mom working hard as she attended college, laboring tirelessly to get her Associate's Degree. I also have a great aunt and a great uncle who were teachers. And when I used to play as a child, I would play "school.” I honestly don't remember a time when education wasn’t a significant part of my life.

A Technology Specialist's insights on teaching the "whole child" with technology. 

At our school, we believe in one thing above all else: You must teach the whole child. All day, every day, no exceptions. It’s like Maslow's hierarchy of needs: If children don’t have their financial, emotional, or basic human needs met, they won’t be able to learn. At least not in any meaningful way.

This is the way we approach learning at Seatack ES, An Achievable Dream Academy. We have what some might call a unique approach to education. Kids in our program are given opportunities and access to certain extracurricular activities that, along with remediation, they simply wouldn’t receive within a regular public school program.