Why should educators integrate technolgy into the curriculum?

Due to the vast amount of students who utilize technology today, I believe that it is beneficial and worthwhile for educators to integrate technology in their curriculum. Beginning at a young age, children are given computers and are easily able to understand how to use them. Technology has become the universal language to connect students and learning.
Since students have grown up with access to technology, they are more comfortable with using technology in their learning processes. Many students find it easier to use technology to enhance their knowledge rather than using the routine textbooks and worksheets. Personally, I use technology to increase and keep the interest of my students. They seem to respond better to using computers and PowerPoint presentations instead of listening to lectures from their teachers day after day. Also, by utilizing podcasts and educational videos during class time helps to bring the content area to life. For example, a teacher doing a lesson on the rain forest can show a video of an actual rain forest "at work" for his or her students to experience. This is far more interesting and beneficial to students than viewing a picture of a rain forest in a textbook.
While I do not believe that technology can fully take the place of actual lectures, textbook learning, and class discussions, I believe that it is a useful resource for educators to implement into their curriculum.