Pub. 4 2014-2015 Issue 1

12 BY ERIK ALBERTINE, UTAH CONNECTIONS ACADEMY Online Integration Resources T echnology infuses nearly every aspect of the world in which we live today, from telecommunications to banking to educa- tion. With an increase in the number of smartphones and tablets in the hands of students today, it is only a matter of time before every teacher will need to incorporate ways to bring these tools, and many like them, into the classroom. Properly integrated digital technology can improve upon student engagement and learning through touching on student learning styles, improving problem-solving skills and by enhancing the relationship between students and their teacher (Edutopia, 2008). With many positive benefits to the proper development of a technology-rich classroom, where do teachers begin? A great starting place is through online and digital tools. While it may seem scary to bring these tools into the classroom curriculum, it is actually easier, cheaper and less time-consuming than it appears. Let’s examine some digital resources that can really engage students and improve upon the learning process.