The role of Technology

I think that it is very important to not only teach technology, but to also be aware, as teachers, how to use technology. I am the most technologically unadvanced person you will probably ever meet. I am lucky if I can check my email. A technological advancement for me is figuring out how to upload pictures from my digital camera to my computer, but do not ask me how to save them or how to edit them at all.
I think that the technology offers so many possibilities within education. No longer do students have to only be aware of things close at home, they now have the ability to become apart of the global community in ways that they never have before. Students can now discuss issues with people on the other side of the globe in real time. This is something that is so astonishing to me and such a wonderful opportunity.
I never thought that I would be someone that would have to be taught to use computers, but I am finding that I am unable to keep up with the things that care developing and changing in technology everyday.
It is so important to realize how much younger and younger students are beginning to be exposed to technology. My brother, who is a senior, recently built his own computer. That boggles my mind. He has the ability to figure all of these things out and piece them together. Kids that are years younger than him are also doing this as well. If technology is not in schools, will there not be a problem with children reverting back to things they have learned long ago? i know in my experience, my brothers new how to use video games and computer by the time they were 3 or so. What would be the point in not taking advantage of all of the knowledge that students now possess.
I think there are two potential problems in this though. Some teachers that have been teaching for an extended period of time may not be aware of how to manipulate and use the technology within the classroom. I think it would be important to teach teachers ways to integrate technology into the everyday class lives. A second potential problem is the separation between students that have and do not have easy access to technology. This is a tough line. There are still a number of people that do not have access to computers and this would be somewhat prejudice in expecting students to perform assignments with resources they don't have.
I think that there are many questions that must be answered when it comes to technology. Both sides must be looked at in trying to integrate technology into schools.