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Friday, March 4, 2011

EDLD 5352 Blog Posting #3: National Educational Technology Plan: Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology

The five goals addressed in the plan include:
1.0 - All learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both in and out of school that prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society.
2.0 - Our education system at all levels will leverage the power of technology to measure what matters and use assessment data for continuous improvement.
3.0 - Professional educators will be supported individually and in teams by technology that connects them to data, content, resources, expertise, and learning experiences that enable and inspire more effective teaching for all learners.
4.0 - All students and educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for learning when and where they need it.
5.0 - Our education system at all levels will redesign processes and structures to take advantage of the power of technology to improve learning outcomes while making more efficient use of time, money, and staff.

Teaching and learning are certainly the primary focus of each of the identified goals from the draft of the National Technology Plan. The plan recommends the development and implementation of standards and learning objectives that integrate technology into the foundation curriculum. The implication of 24/7 access by teachers and students is a hot topic concern because of the related costs and security issues. Goal number three addresses professional development goals. Recommendations for meeting this goal include expanding opportunities for educators to have access to technology based content resources, and tools where and when they need them; social networking technologies that provide career-long personal learning opportunities for educators; online access to effective teaching and better learning opportunities and option; and providing pre-service 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. The goal also focuses on the need for educators to make connections through online learning communities in order to improve their teaching.

One thing that concerns me about the National Technology Plan is the lack of funding to implement the desired goal driven strategies. The plan openly admits that implementation will require money, but suggests "leveraging technology" and "using the dollar wisely". Federal funding continues to be minimal and yet the expectations are quite clear.

US Depart of Education. (2010). Learning Powered by Technology: National Education Technology Plan.

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