Today's students are inundated with technology at home, from video games to text messaging to Internet use. Therefore, it is essential for teachers to bring technology into their classrooms in order to fully reach all of their students and keep them engaged.

Create a Website
A class website is a good tool for keeping parents and students informed about what's going on in the classroom, and provide them with extra resources related to what the students are learning in class. Websites are also a great way to showcase student work. Sample papers and pictures can be scanned into the computer and placed on the website. Teachers can also have students create websites of their own related to what they're studying in class. Some technology guidelines prohibit teachers from publishing a student's full name or picture on a website without written parental permission, so teachers should check their district's policy before posting this information.

Using Videos
Thanks to the Internet, a wealth of short videos and video clips are available to help supplement instruction. Teachers who have a computer with Internet access connected to a projector or interactive whiteboard can easily upload these videos to share with students. Some districts block major video sharing websites, but teachers can ask for individual access to them in order to use the videos in their classrooms.

Publishing Tools
Teachers can allow students to create projects and papers using word processing programs, PowerPoint and graphic design programs. Using these programs can broaden a student's creativity and allow them to manipulate information in new and creative ways. Students can create graphics to explain a concept or connect to a book, produce movies and even give persuasive speeches using PowerPoint slides. Using computer programs for publishing also saves on paper by allowing students to electronically submit their assignments.

Organization Tools
Teachers can also use technology to keep their files organized. Many teachers are required to keep online grade books parents can also access to keep them up-to-date on their students' progress. Instead of keeping paper copies of grades, test scores and other important information, teachers can organize student information using folders and spreadsheets. Teachers can also easily read and analyze data by creating charts and graphs. As with all technology, however, accidents can happen, so teachers should be sure to back up all information in case of a computer crash or virus.

Gadgets and Gizmos
From interactive whiteboards to digital cameras, there is a variety of hardware available for use in classrooms. A lot of this equipment is expensive, but they provide opportunities for students to express their creativity and help engage students, particularly kinesthetic learners. Teachers can use MP3 players to give students access to podcasts and videos, computerized writing tablets to transfer handwritten material directly to a computer screen and video game consoles to supplement lesson plans. For science teachers, teachers can connect lab equipment, such as microscopes, to a computer to enhance a student's experience with the material.