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                My student teaching experience in an 8^th grade social studies classroom this past semester has assisted me in clarifying my philosophy of technology.  Technology should not be thought of as the remedy to our educational troubles but rather a supplement and a tool that both teacher and student have available to use to expand, elaborate on and enhance learning processes.  Studies indicate that technology can enhance the learning process across all curricular areas by increasing test achievement and by fostering a positive classroom climate.  From my short-term experience in an 8^th grade History class, technology can serve as a beneficial tool if utilized correctly.  Technology, however, serves different purposes for both teacher and student.  As a teacher, I used technology to be more organized and efficient in all of the normal classroom administrative duties.  I also was able to use available technology to enhance lesson plans in the form of Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Publisher, digital projectors, e-mail, virtual field trips, distance learning and Web quests, and the vast amount of information available on the Internet.  Observing my students and also being a student, I have been able to see firsthand the benefits and setbacks that accompany technology.  From the student perspective, education is much more enjoyable when there is a tangible and relevant product.  Technology allows the student to learn while maintaining artistic freedom over a final creation. Technology, much like anything else, is a work in progress.  Improvements, advancements and innovations occur at extremely rapid rates.  Technology is becoming more efficient, relevant, and accessible as we move into the future.  As long as budgets permit, schools will continue to place technological advances on the forefront of their needs and wants.  I believe, though that it is imperative, as educators, that we continually question what technology we are using, and more importantly why we are using it.  If this is done, we can ensure that technology will be used to benefit learning processes and not replace them.