Strive for invisibility

This idea may seem counter to many ideas we have about teaching, but when it comes to edtech and technology integration into classrooms, it's when the technology becomes transparent that you know you have achieved true integration.


Think about all of the tools and skills we use to function in our daily work and personal lives.  Every time you use your vacuum cleaner, dishwasher or washing machine, you don't have news crews beating down your door.  Every time you drive your car to the post office there are no professional observers coming in to watch and record data about your every move.

Likewise, when your students choose to work in a small group on a project and open a Google Doc or a wiki to collaborate, or choose a particular web 2.0 presentation tool to post a project on their blog for comment, it should not be met by wild applause.  This doesn't mean that there should not be acknowledgement for a job well done, or a choice well made.  But when technology is truly transparent in the classroom, these kinds of actions and choices simply represent students doing what they should do - they are using tools and skills to function and interact efficiently in the world.