Chapter 1 & 2

Technology plays an important role in the lives of students and teachers. The terms used in chapter one digital childhood and iGeneration describe well the influence of technology on our lives. Teachers use technology as instructional tools in the classroom, professional resources outside-the-classroom, and as learning resources inside- and outside-the-classroom.
The goal of the new Common Core Standars applied in today's classrooms is to get the students ready to succeed in the future. The technology will only develope, and we can only imagine what our children and their children will experience in the future. The National Council of Teachers of English issued a 21st century literacies (skills the students will need in the future). "To live and to work successfully in this new century, students must have the basic competencies of reading, writing, and computation, and an array of technology-based literacies, including proficiency with technology tools, the ability to build relationships and solve problems collaboratively, the capability to desigh and share information, the capacity to analyze and evaluate information from multiple sources, and the capability to handle information in ethical ways".
The great advantage of using technology in the classroom is to engage students by applying differentiated instruction and motivating those who lack interest. Students can "visit" the places they learn about without leaving their homes or classrooms. My older son had to create a movie trailer in his computer class. It was the best project ever. He was so excited to do it.
My PreK students play educational games on computers during Center Time. Recently we had replaced computers with iPods, because the students were losing interest. Almost all of the students kept touching the computer screen, having the experience with iPods or other touch screen devices  at home.
I can not see the future in education without a teacher, but can not picture it without the technology either.

Questions:
1. Can the role of a techer be replaced with technology based learning?
2. What can be done for older teachers, who do not feel comfortable with technology, to ensure technology enhanced classrooms?