Technology Infused Classroom

Technology influences how and what we teach and evaluate.  Technology requires that we re-evaluate some of what we have and are teaching to determine what should be eliminated or revised.  Technology forces us to think in a different way about how we understand our world.  Technology can greatly influence how any subject is taught, including math.
Technology can be used to eliminate repetitive paper-and-pencil computations (addition, multiplication, division, decimals, and fractions, e.g.).  Calculators and computers can perform the most redundant tasks more effectively.  Students can learn to see the connections between skills through technology based projects (Map Quest, online projects such as google earth lessons, digital simulations, virtual worlds, e.g.).  In these same setting students can apply their knowledge to real-world settings and problems.  These types of learning opportunities not only help students to connect the skills they've learned to real-world situations but make connections to other strands of mathematics.
As technology improves student learning by offering different modalities and giving students greater access to information, it also improves teaching.  Teachers can move away from rigid drill-and-practice mathematics and move toward inquiry-based technology focused assignments which help to bridge students' understanding with real-world applications.  Teachers can create meaningful assignments using technology (spreadsheet of city or fish populations to create box-and-whisker plots or circle graphs or predict future populations based on trends, create parabolas through dynamic simulations of real-world activities, group explorations using Internet search engines, reflective assessments with the use of discussion boards, blogs, Instant Messaging and chat rooms, differentiate based on student needs using Integrated Learning Systems and software, assess learning by allowing students to create authentic and personal multi-media presentations using Power-Point, e.g.
Effective use of technology has to power to change the way teachers and students function in a classroom.  Even creating greater opportunities for teachers, students, parents, administrators, and the community to connect and stay connected (websites, student and teacher blogs, remote conferences using Skype, e.g.). 
Technology can change every level and aspect of the educational process from enrollment, assessment, curriculum building, communication, teaching, learning, and more.  In the future, technology will become such a vital and focal part of the educational process that it will the be common thread of each and every facet.