Technology in my Future

I remember the first time that I saw a computer.  I was in 4th grade and I had just moved to a new, larger school. Or, at least I thought it was large since there were only 11 students in my previous class-thus no technology! Anyway, I thought that it was the coolest thing that we could play "games" on a computer, my personal favorite: Oregon Trail.  Then, I remember the first time that I went "online"; I was over at a friends house and she had just gotten the Internet. Yes, it was dial up...oh how those sounds used to annoy me!  Now, I look around my own house and can not even count on both hands how many forms of technology that my children are exposed to-every day. We have iPads, iPods, iPhones, cell phones, tablets, DSI's, leap pads...I could go on and on! My how times have changed!

Technology has been a huge focus during the last 18 months that I've been in Grad school.  I've come to realize that it can be completely awesome and sometimes it can be not so awesome!  I love the fact that I can turn my computer on, use my document camera, and demonstrate specific concepts to my students all through the use of the SMART Board. I also like that I can download some pretty great apps onto my iPad and demonstrate how to use them through the Air Server, which again, shows up on the SMART Board large enough for everyone to see.  I like the fact that I don't have to go to the library to do all of my research,  much of what I would find in the library I can find online.  I like that I can follow blogs to get connected to the outside world.  There are so many advantages to technology, many of the advantages help make life a little easier...most of the time.

However, lately I've been feeling that technology is not always awesome.  Sometimes it can be so overwhelmingly frustrating.  For example, when it is not working correctly, especially when you need it most! Many times I've gotten my computer all ready with all of the things that I plan to teach, only to begin and it crashes. Or the times where I have my iPad all ready to go, but then the Air Server doesn't work!  In addition to these frustrations, I think that one of the most frustrating aspects of technology is that it is addicting!  It seems like every time I turn around someone is asking if they can use any of the forms of technology.  Yeah, sure it is highly engaging and definitely appealing (totally not arguing about that), but how much are my students (and my own children) actually learning from it?  Is Kindergarten too young to be forcing so much technology on them? Is it in any way hindering their brain development?  Where does real-live-play come into the picture?  Then the question of how much do they get to use technology out of school? Somethings gotta give!  Lately, I've been reading articles stating that technology could actually be hindering student learning.  Not sure if it is all true, but I have noticed that my own children are relying more on technology keeping them busy than their own imaginations.

Here are a few of articles that have made me more aware of how I allow my students and my own children to use technology:

How much technology should you let your child use?

The Impact of Technology on the Developing Child

Technology and Young Children

How Technology is Changing the way Children Think and Focus

Technology, A Fundamental Change in Child Development

This past few semesters during grad school we have been encouraged to implement as much technology into our lessons as possible (like a new tool weekly). However, I've had conflicting feelings about this assignment and throughout I've been wondering if this is truly the best thing to do to/for my kindergartners. Yes, this blog post was an assignment of mine: "Articulate a loose or structured future plan/vision for continued integration of tech after you complete the program...  Include why and how technology should be a part of learning in your classroom as well as how you will continue to learn about new tools, etc."

So, here it is...
My future plan:
I plan to use what I have implemented thus far, because it is definitely engaging.  I plan to keep educating myself about the effects of technology and the developing brain.
Why/how technology should be a part of learning in my classroom:
I don't want to leave my students without the necessary skills to use technology, and I will teach them the basics that technology has to offer, however, I will not compromise the skills that they NEED to be successful, deep, and independent thinkers.
How I will continue to learn about new tools:
I am subscribed to many blogs, news feeds and I seek out scholarly articles concerning this topic.