School leaders are accustomed to working hard to make curricula challenging and engaging and to make sure it meets state standards. And many educators are now becoming more skilled at using technology in their classrooms, whether it’s laptops, digital whiteboards, or smartphones. But experts say that to get the best results for students, it’s important to be deliberate and thoughtful in the way technology is incorporated into curricula. Just layering technology on top of an already existing curriculum is often not the best way to enhance the learning process and maximize the effectiveness of the technology tools available. School and district technology leaders and curriculum experts must work together to find the best way to integrate technology into teaching and learning in order to develop the most innovative and successful methods for delivering curricula to students.

Presenters:

Mark Hofer, associate professor of educational technology, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va.

Noreen M. Walton, the director of learning support services for the 33,000-student Poway Unified School District in San Diego.

Moderator:

Michelle R. Davis, senior writer, Education Week Digital Directions