5352 Blog Posting #3

Reflection on the National Educational Technology Plan: “Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology”

The National Educational and Technology Plan has two main goals; to raise the number of college graduates and to close the achievement gaps that exist in our schools today. In the 21^st century the focus is shifting to using technology to create “real world” and “real life” experiences in the classroom.  Student’s daily lives revolve around technology outside of the classroom, and it is up to the 21^st century educator to find ways to integrate this technology into the classroom. The curricular focus of this plan is on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) the US has fallen behind in these areas, and this plan urges us to make these areas a focus.  Assessment is stressed as the measuring tool to “diagnose and modify” conditions with in schools in order to improve learning through technology.  Teaching is no longer meant to be an isolated event. Teachers are now connected to: other professionals through online learning communities, to numerous digital teaching tools, and to students and parents at the click of a mouse. Even professional development is changing and becoming more accessible through technology. In terms of infrastructure every “student, educator, and level of our educations system” should be provided with the resources that they need. I do seriously wonder how we will accomplish these tasks. Some districts in Texas are in a financial crisis due to the economy. Districts are cutting their technology staff and budget. In this unfortunate economic climate, it is difficult to see the full realization of this plan anytime soon. However, the future of teaching and technology is clear, and it is very exciting!