Hmmmmm.  The stages of technology integration in the classroom and where I fall?  I think right now I am at the Adaptation Stage.  I understand the importance of technology in the classroom and  for today's learners.  Having two children of my own, working in a middle school, and being addicted to my iPhone all increase my desire to know more and use more technology in the classroom.  But frequently that pesky reality sets in and disrupts my tech love fest.  For my reality is that while I can use technology I don't really understand much about it.  When there is an error or malfunction I do not have any idea how to fix it.  And I get frustrated and want to play it safe by using the programs I know and love. 
I think the main aspect of technology integration I am interested in is using technology in a new way.  I frequently see teachers using the laptop in lieu of an overhead but nothing new is being done.  Our students not only need the knowledge which can be presented through technology but the know-how  to use the technology.  And this is where the difficulty lies for me.  I have a wealth of technology information but don't know how or where to start using it.  So I stick to what I know and use technology in a simple, safe way.  I hope this class improves my comfort level in the classroom.

Technology in School

I have had almost a week to digest all the information we received in class last week.  I am feeling a little less overwhelmed but still feel there is so much for me to learn.  Especially when I really thought about the amount of technology at our students fingertips on a daily basis.
According to Project Tomorrow's Speak Up findings from 2010 51% of 6th to 8th graders have cell phones and 34% of those are Smart phones.  This really shocked me as my son just started 6th grade a few weeks ago and I finally broke down and got him a phone  Not an iphone.  Not even a Smart phone.  Because I am a lame mom and his life is so rough(loosely paraphrased).  The reason I was so impressed by this study was that they surveyed the students themselves and rural, urban, and suburban areas were well represented. 
I currently work in a middle school as well and am familiar with the cell phone policy at school.  Off and out of sight during the day.  A part of me understands this because of the reality of how students chose to use their phones.  Even adult students are asked to turn off their cell phones during graduate level instruction.  Yet what part of relatively inexpensive technology are we asking our students not to use with these policies?  However, in a practical sense monitoring their use would be an uphill battle and could possibly take away from instructional time.  I don't really have any concrete answers just more questions.  Which means the practical implementation of technology is like everything else in life.  Multi faceted with no clear cut answer and opens the door for greater discussion.......