Blog Posting # 3 - National Education Technology Plan
In reading the summary, "Transforming American Education Learning Powered by Technology" by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Technology, it is stated that "education has become an urgency priority driven by two clear goals: We will raise the proportion of college graduates from where it now stands (around 41 perecent ) so that 60 percent of our population holds a two-year or four-year degree by 2020." (7). The second goal, "We will close the achievement gap so that all students graduate from high school ready to succeed in college and careers." (7).
We as educators must engage students and personalize their learning experiences so that they can relate to them in their daily lives and imagine how it will help them in their future as they take a place in the workforce. Students should be taught how to take control of their own learning. Educators should have a set of standards for students to meet, then we must learn how to meet these standards by many different methods. Students should have the option of getting information from many sources not just the classroom teacher - and they do.
In the report, "Transforming Ameican Education Learning Powered by Technology", the teacher is viewed as a vital link to changing our education system. This is refreshing as sometimes the educator is left out of the education reform equation. A classroom can be provided with the most modern of technology but you still must euip that most important factor, the teacher. The report emphasizes educators having the tools and resources to ensure successful teaching and to be able to ultimately produce a self-directed learner.
Professional development would be addressed as "collaborative, coherent, and continuous." (10). The normal same old tired and ineffective professional development would be replaced with professional development that empoweres teachers to provide meaningful lessons in the classroom. All professional development should be modeled after the quote, "provide preservice and in-service educators with professional learning experiences powered by technology to increase their digital literacy and enable them to create compelling assignments for students that improve learning, assessment, and instructional practices." (16).
One insight I relate to in reading this summary is the idea of using professional experts in various disciplines. I have been very successful in my teaching career and one of the reasons is I always look to the experts. It is my experience that these professionals are willing to help and their expertise enriches my teaching tremendously. Over the years I have built a network of professionals in the various fields of science. Their participation with me and my students creates excitement, curiousity, and achievement.
U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Technology. (2010)
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