With all the recent discussion about teachers having to address the issue of cell phone use in the classroom, many administrators are restricting the use of digital devices in school and revising their policies to reflect this decision. The belief is that if students are not permitted to bring their digital devices to school, then they won’t be tempted to engage in disruptive behaviors, such as texting in class or cyberbullying. Teachers, on the other hand, often hold a different opinion. Using various forms of technology in the classroom to enhance an activity or to help engage students in a lesson almost always elicits a positive response from the students.

Facebook, YouTube, Twitter...these popular sites are revolutionizing the way our youth are communicating and expressing themselves in today's world. As our children become introduced to these popular social networking sites at an earlier age, it is only natural for parents to want to limit or restrict their children's exposure. But how young is too young to start using social media? Because children are digital natives, they have a tendency to gravitate toward using technology for entertainment purposes or to communicate with their peers. Older generations don't necessarily see the appeal in using social media, but have to understand that this is the direction our society is heading. Many parents are concerned about age-appropriate material, children revealing too much personal information online, and cyberbullying - all valid concerns. However, restricting a child's use of these popular sites may not be the best solution.

An article by Nora Carr of eSchoolNews.com identified five tips for communicating using digital technology in the upcoming new year. These tips reflect the digital society in which we live, and the desire we have to stay in constant communication with one another. In my Multimedia Technology classroom, I rely on the use of technology in all forms, including mobile devices, social media, YouTube, etc., to instruct and follow current trends. However, I focus on teaching my students how to use this technology both responsibly and productively.

The prospect of leveraging technology for student use can be somewhat daunting for administrators and school district officials, simply because of the seemingly endless options available. School districts want to provide students with access to the latest technology in order to enhance their learning experiences, but also have a responsibility to stay within budget. It is vital for them to invest in educational technologies that will prove to be cost effective for each specific district and still help students become 21st century learners. EmergingEdTech conducted a recent survey of teachers, administrators, technology specialists and others to determine which educational technologies have the most impact on student learning.

Social media has become a phenomenon that has been widely embraced by individuals of all ages, partly due to its accessibility and entertainment value. It has infiltrated just about every sector of society, most notably the field of education. Although some may argue that social networking is not an appropriate method of instruction, it can still have an impact on students and the educational process.

Many children diagnosed with autism tend to have difficulty expressing themselves to others, and may exhibit limited or unusual social and language skills. Often, children with autism have an acute sensitivity to touch that makes it unpleasant for them to turn the pages in a book or even grasp a pencil. Because of these characteristics, teachers may find that children with autism respond better to different methods of instruction than others. One way to effectively reach these children is through the use of technology.