WHAT IS TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION? “Technology integration” refers to the use of computers and the Internet to support teaching and learning across the curriculum. Integrated use of technology may involve students working with computer productivity tools to complete science projects or searching the Internet to find poetry—but it is always tied directly to student mastery of their school subjects. Properly implemented, technology integration is the best means of building computer skills: Research in South African and Egyptian schools indicates that students learn computer skills better when computers are used to address their own interests rather than in formal skills training. Technology integration is not: A separate subject, a stand-alone project, a focus of study in and of itself. Example: Students in a Computer Studies course use a word-processing program to create a newsletter. The purpose of the activity is to build skills using the software. Students’ use of the computer is separate from their study of school subjects. They are learning about computers. Technology integration is: Using computers on a regular basis, for a purpose connected to math, science, social studies or language arts. Computer use becomes a means of learning, and learning takes place through computer use. Example: During social studies, a teacher presents students with a task—to research and communicate to the village council five strategies for keeping local water bodies clean. Students use the computer as needed to do research (perhaps with Encarta, a CD-based encyclopedia) and to prepare final reports. They are learning with computers