“It is necessary to give children the possibility of developing according to the laws of their nature, so that they can become strong, and, having become strong, can do even more than we dared hope for them.”-Maria Montessori

Tam & Tao in Numberland is an app on the iPad called the "sandbox App" where children can trace a set of numbers, from 0-9, with their finger.
Before I even continued reading this article, I began to think, "Hm...this sounds a lot like something Maria Montessori would want as an app for the iPad!"
As a matter of fact, the article states that based on documentation materials, the app was actually modeling the sandbox teaching method of Montessori.  Such an interesting thought to think about how Montessori would feel about an iPad sandbox App, is it not?

Maria Montessori once said, "I studied my children, and they taught me how to teach them." If Montessori was still alive in the 21st century, I believe that she would be an advocate for integration of technology in the classroom based on that statement right there. If our children are growing up in a technological generation, then why wouldn't they learn best through technology?

I interpret the quote in my title into a "21st century way of thinking."  It is necessary as teachers that we give children the possibility to develop according to the culture they are so accustomed to. They need hands-on, they need interactive materials, they need mutiple means of engagement and partcipation, and they need technology. If you take away these aspects, then the equation leaves you with boredom. Boredom is my biggest fear in becoming a teacher because if students become bored, then they lose interest in learning. If they lose interest in learning, then this 'hope' we have for them to reach their full potential may never meet its ultimate high...