Technology Integration

Without a doubt, "After the Bell, Beyond the Walls" encompasses the essential conditions for technology integration. Eric Langhorst seems well deserving of being calling a pioneer in middle school education, and education as a whole. His discussion on the influence of technology as an expansion of education and learning is exeptional in its forsight and its realism. I found most exciting the creation of the StudyCast, which allowed Langhorst's students to prepare for tests while doing everyday tasks like walking the dog and riding the bus. It allows students to embrace school in a technological form that they have already incorporated in their daily lives. As so many educational philosophists have encouraged - education is not preparation for life, education is life, and Langhorst's combining of test reviews with accepted and enjoyed technology makes education a constant part of the lives of his students, rather than just a designated section of Monday through Friday.

The second point in the article, about the online book club set up through Blogger is a terrific idea that I now plan on using in my future classrooms. While Langhorst teaches 8th grade and I want to teach mid-elementary schoool, I can also use this system of assigning students an age-appropriate novel in the "traditional manner" and incorporating technology to enhance the experience through discussion with classmates, but also with readers of the book from around the country. Having the author be involved to answer questions and discuss the novel with the students is also a wonderful point. Giving students the ability to question the writer and discuss specific point of the writing process and the novel itself gives students the ability to better assess the meaning of the text and all to feel involved in their own education. The assignment is no longer just literature or history homework, it becomes a comprehensive discussion and interactive experience. Students from every ability level and interest level are able to keep up, get involved, and drive their own experience through the use of multimedia. No one is left out or left behind, and everyone feels like that have gained education in literature, history, reading ability, technology experience and ability, personally from their experience.

Like a said, without a doubt, Eric Langhorst has found a way to encompass all the essential conditions for technology integration, and he has done so by taking education out of the school walls and into the lives of his students.