Technology is integrated in almost every aspect of society. It helps us communicate and collaborate with one another, sometimes a world away. It helps people with disabilities become mobile, or hear, or speak. It makes our lives easier. It also helps us to learn. That is why I believe it is vitally important for technology to be in the classroom. Students need to be prepared to enter an economy and job market that is increasingly dependent on technology. Technology can be used by teachers to better assess the learner's understanding of subject matter. Digital presentations not only let the students experiment with ideas, but it can also help students present materials in countless ways. By mastering new computer skills, students acquire critical thinking and problem solving skills, and it can be a way to inspire student creativity in demonstrating subject knowledge. I believe technology is also an important part of Universal Design for Learning. It helps students with learning disabilities by acting as supplementary aids for the lesson plans while being a reinforcement for other students. People learn by different means. Some people are naturally auditory learners, some visual, some tactile. Technology in the classroom is a way to engage all students. It appeals to all the senses, creating a learning environment that is vastly more comprehensive than in previous generations. Interactive games, social sites, computers, tablets and applications are all ways to keep students engaged in learning, motivating them to learn in different ways. I still remember how exciting it was to go to the computer lab in elementary school and boot up the Apple IIe. Now students carry an entire world of information in their smart phones. Technology does not need to be a stand alone subject. Our jobs as teachers is to find creative ways to harness students' excitement for technology and integrate it into our classrooms, teaching students how to use technology to enhance the standard curriculum.