Technology in the 21st Century

Technology integration not only in education, but in life itself is perceived by some as both complex and confusing. People are generally uncomfortable with change. As our society becomes increasingly dependent on technology, there are still those who resist this change. It is a paradox of sorts; people realize that the world is changing but they refuse to change with it.
Life in the 21st Century is highlighted by an increased dependency on technology in our lives so our schools need to prepare students who are competent in technology. This process is known to many as technology integration. At the June Harless Center, technology integration is more than merely utilizing a computer as a typewriter, calculator, a film projector, or a telecommunication system. We believe that technology integration begins with solid planning by our teacher so that the use of technology is meaningful and relevant to the educational experience. Our teachers have been armed with the latest technological advances in education and they have embraced the idea of technology integration; realizing that it is not a fad but a viable instructional tool that is every bit as valuable as a textbook or a worksheet.
Faculty and staff at the June Harless Center currently use different technologies and have made that ever vital connection between their work and the tools used to support a solid curriculum, critical thinking, problem solving, and a higher level of thinking. Technology does not define them as teachers, but rather allows them to become better teachers in a student centered collaborative environment, where the teacher is a facilitator assisting the student with problem solving, promoting communication, and global awareness.
At the June Harless Center, technology and progressive teachers assist the student in becoming an engaged learner; enabling the student to take ownership of his or her education. The use of technology has allowed our students to extend their learning in exciting ways. Whether it is a site that allows for drill and practice or manipulating objects on a Smart Board, at the June Harless Center technology is a motivating tool that enhances learning; a rich extension of what is going on in the classroom of the 21st Century, forming the foundation for how students learn for years to come as technology plays a role in the preparation for future learning.
Technology’s value for early childhood lies in its ability to extend learning beyond the traditional curriculum, but technology alone is not going to form the citizens and the workers of the future; we need the involvement of parents and relatives along with educators in the learning process. At the June Harless Center we believe that one of the most important keys to implementing technology effectively is adult supervision, especially with the youngest ones. Children need the guidance of a living, breathing person, rather than getting their knowledge from a computer system. With a teacher or a parent nearby to answer questions, the student is in a better learning environment.
At the June Harless Center, teachers are prepared to work with technology to promote problem-solving, productivity, and communication. Our teachers believe that it is not just using technology that is important, but loving learning with technology.
Integrating technology into the curriculum is a priority at the June Harless Center, a priority that we have embraced and made the driving force behind educating our children, preparing them for jobs and challenges perhaps not yet in existence.