Reflection of the Technology Draft Plan

Students and the needs of those students are changing more rapidly than in the past. The role technology will play in this transition will be the determining factor of success. The draft of the National Educational Technology Plan lays the framework and provides goals to drive local and state educational technology plans. The Plan states that “learning sciences have improved our understanding of how people learn” and follows with making recommendations to fund “research and the development of exemplary resources that implement learning science principles”. Student’s immediate access to information through technology must be embraced by current educators. The goals stated in this section refer to using the power of technology to “reach all learners anytime and anywhere” offering up the term on-demand learning. The goal of using learning sciences and technology together is to increase performance STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathmatics). With respect to professional development the Draft specifically acknowledges that support should be provided for teachers that can “empower and inspire them to provide more effective teaching for all learners”. As stated previously in this class many teachers are not comfortable themselves with technology due to the fact that most students are more knowledgeable on the subject. The most important part of any professional development plan is to make sure we are training teachers on how to effectively implement technology in the classroom and provide students with access. My only concerns with the Draft plan are that it acknowledges the need for professional development, infrastructure, etc., but neglects to cover the financials. I, like most, would be delighted by every student having a laptop and every teacher a smartboard. What I am waiting for is a report on how we are going to pay for it. With technology advancing as fast as it is how can school districts with minimal budgets stay technologically advanced?