SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION relies on several interrelated component. Like the poles supporting a tent, each component is vital to the success of the program. This article reviews these factors, and emphasizes the need for schools to adopt similar strategies before bringing technology into classrooms.

" The most damaging thing to our program was that there was no district focus."

Deann Bucher, Teacher, (1998)

Effective leadership is one of the most critical components of effective integration. Leadership should come from school administrators and technology coordinators working together in the restructuring process. Leaders must be skilled not only in technology use, but also in curriculum standards, communication methods and staff development strategies. 

Strong leadership is vital for developing expectations, motivating teachers, and controlling incentives. However, as critical as leadership is, it cannot support the integration process without these other factors.

One of the first things technology leaders should do is develop a technology use plan. Technology plans formalize the integration process by providing all stakeholders with a direction. Once nothing more than a list of hardware and software, today's technology use plans include a variety of components and are likely to extend five years or longer. 

A technology plan needs to be flexible enough to be adjustable to sudden changes throughout its implementation. Technology leaders must be prepared for budget cuts while, at the same time, advancements in technology continue. Once a technology plan is in place, full integration is one step closer.

Flexibility is also an issue with respect to teachers. Technology integration requires teachers to change, and staff development is important in supporting that change. The following describes a teacher's involvement with computers in terms of progressive levels.

Familiarization: a teacher becomes personally comfortable with computers.
Utilization: a teacher begins using computers in teaching.
Integration: computer use becomes critical to his or her teaching (Marcinkiewicz, 1993).
Staff development approaches should meet the immediate needs of each teacher. 

Activities that are easy for novice technology users to integrate are essential. School technology policies could start by encouraging all teachers to have students use technology in at least one lesson per semester (Burgstahler, 1998).

The factors outlined are essential for successful school technology integration. Each component plays an important role in the technology integration process. Like the tent, however, no single component can support the entire process alone. Technology integration relies on a cooperative effort to make the structure strong.

School technology integration is a complex process. To learn more, visit the following sites:
International Society for Technology in Education helps teachers and administrators share effective teaching strategies through technology.
Computer-Using Educators, Inc. promotes educational reform and supports technology-based innovation through services, activities and programs.

Graduate Student
Department of Educational Technology
San Diego State University
Illustrations by Bridget MacConnel