Positive Technology is my spin on Positive Psychology. I used to teach a class in Positive Psychology and I loved the focus on using our minds to create engagement, flow and happiness in our lives. I see technology in the same way. It can be used to make us better people and improve our world.

As a technology coordinator, I am charged with the task of helping teachers to integrate technology into their curriculums. Teachers frequently ask, “What program/app/web 2.0 thing should I use?” and my answer is always, “What are you trying to teach, and what skill or character trait would you like your students to develop?”

• Trying to teach math concepts? Khan Academy might help.
• Trying to teach compassion? Go to Heifer.org and teach students how a class fundraiser of $120 can buy a pig that will change an impoverished child’s life.
• Trying to teach critical thinking and problem solving? Let your students embark on ThinkQuest competition.

Positive Technology is all about putting human development and global improvement first, and using technology to support it.