How can we integrate new technology in our classroom, but still develop a sense of wonder in children?

I am a huge believer in developing a sense of wonder and excitement in children as learners. I believe that this first comes with developing a sense of wonder for the world they live in and all of its components. I want to continue to be able to have this value and belief as a teacher, but also be able to teach to where children are at in this world and what is surrounding them. So my biggest struggle right now with technology is how will I be able to do both?

I want to figure out ways to integrate technology and allow children to see what a valuable resource it is, but at the same time, I want them to see how big of a resource the natural world is and how big of a resource knowledge can be. I want them to see the value of learning to do mutiplication i their head without using a calculator ect. I think the biggest battle at this point, is figuring out how to make technology a resource to me as an early childhood teacher. I think it will take a great deal of creativity considering young children can't have a facebook or twitter.

One teacher that I worked with about a year ago, would have her four year olds do research projects on aspect of the natural world. The way she would have them begin their project was through research. She would take small groups of children each day and walk them through utilzing her computer to find pictures of ideas for their project. Although this took a great deal of scaffolding, she was able to introduce them to the concept of searching the internet and using it a resource for achademia. After the chidlren gather their research, they embarked upon a huge journey of recreating one of the ideas they had researched through art. They could utilize what ever type of art media they wished. They were then able to utilize the pictures they had found through there research as references.

This is a great example of how I have discovered technology being a resource with young children. I hope to continue in my search of how technology can be a valuable resource to me as a teacher and how I will integrate it into my beliefs of learning and development.