Words Matter | Integrate
This post was suggested by Greg Thompson (@akamrt). See Greg's work here and here.
Integrate.
"I would like to integrate technology into what I do." Or from an administrator: "I'd like to see you integrate more technology into your teaching."
Let's stop using this word when we talk about technology.
The use of this word, in the way I've framed it above, suggests that technology is outside the realm of what we normally do in education. It's something that's added.
It's not.
Whether or not technology is used is a decision made during the planning of instruction. It's a choice, just like deciding to use a lecture, cooperative learning, or simply showing some video clips. It should be part of a pool from which we select during the instructional design process.
When do you make the choice? When the use of the technologie(s) add value to the learning. When it takes the learning to a place that couldn't be achieved unless the technology was a part of the learning process.
It's not integrative, it's integral, just like everything else.