Developing a culture that embraces technology is also important to its successful integration for example, sending important messages by e-mail, or encouraging staff to use electronic calendars to schedule meetings, fosters a culture that accepts technology as "natural" to the business of everyday work. The process of technology integration is one of continuous change, learning, and (hopefully) improvement. It is the process by which people and their institutional setting adapt to the technology that matters most. The goal of perfect technology integration is inherently unreachable: technologies change and develop, students and teachers come and go-things change. It is a goal-in-process, not an end state. Integrating technology is what comes next after making the technology available and accessible. This definition is not in itself sufficient to describe successful integration: it is important that integration be routine, seamless, and both efficient and effective in supporting school goals and purposes. Practices include collaborative work and communication, Internet-based research, remote access to instrumentation, network-based transmission and retrieval of data, and other methods. Technology resources are computers and specialized software, network-based communication systems, and other equipment and infrastructure. Technology integration is the incorporation of technology resources and technology-based practices into the daily routines, work, and management of schools.
The most important reason for measuring, though, is the understanding that the impact of technology on schools is dependent upon how successfully technology is integrated. Technology, it has been argued, helps change teacher-student relationships, encourages project-based learning styles, and supports the acquisition of skills such as "higher order thinking," analysis, and problem solving. Technology integration in the classroom also has the potential to support important educational goals.
For administrative tasks, technology can improve worker productivity by removing repetitive aspects of complex tasks or improving system communication. Measures need to be available to assess effectiveness, and yet some of the most significant effects can be difficult to measure. The integration of technology into a school is in many ways like its integration into any business setting-technology is a tool to improve productivity and practice. There are a number of reasons to track the effectiveness of technology integration. Applications of technology in practice are examined through key questions, indicators, and measures for technology integration in the school setting. Infusing a school with technology can be a transforming experience: the potential exists to change almost every aspect of school operations, and much of teaching and learning. This chapter provides guidance, ideas and resources to assess the integration of technology into a school or district's instructional and management practices.
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