Technology Connections

Project Learning Tree recognizes the importance of using technology in teaching students. To address the growing need to develop technologically literate students, PLT has identified several information technologies that can be incorporated into the activities in this guide.

PLT uses technology to provide support for teaching lesson objectives, to help students master those objectives, and to formulate a product that can be used for assessment.
Research has proven that technology can motivate and help children to become independent learners. Providing students with opportunities to use technology in the classroom allows students to gain control over their own learning by making instruction more student centered, encouraging cooperative learning, and stimulating teacher/student interaction
(Mehlinger, 1995).

When integrated into the curriculum, technology supports students' basic skill development, offers them access to information beyond the school walls, encourages individual creativity, and offers them greater control over their learning (Conley, 1992).

There are technology connections in most of the activities in this guide. The sidebar, found on the first page of each activity, lists the technology tools that can be used with the activity. The activities include brief suggestions of how to integrate the technology tools. These suggestions are highlighted by the icon.

The Technology Connections Index provides a cross-reference of the technology opportunities within PLT activities. The Technology Connections Index provides links between the activities and the following types of technology tools: