National Education Technology Plan

        The National Education Technology Plan calls for an immediate action, to transform education in our schools.”Specifically, we must embrace innovation, prompt implementation, regular evaluation, and continuous improvement. The programs and projects that work must be brought to scale, so every school has the opportunity to take advantage of their success. Our regulations, policies, actions and investments must be strategic and coherent.” (NETP, 2010) The NETP addresses, a comprehensive use of technology for educators and students. Our students are exposed to technology; that most of our veteran teachers have little or no knowledge. The NETP outlines five goal areas: learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity.

        The first goal of the National Educational Technology Plan is learning; “All learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences; both in and outside school, that prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society.”(NETP, 2010) Our schools should already have empowerment, as a high priority.

        The second goal of the National Educational Technology Plan is assessment; “Our education system at all levels will leverage the power of technology to measure what matters and use assessment data for continuous improvement” (NETP, 2010) Our school districts will definitely have to put pressure on old habits, old ways; in order to implement technology, in our change resistant schools.

The third goal of the National Educational Technology Plan is teaching: “Professional educators will be supported; individually and in teams by technology, that connects and inspires more effective teaching for all learners.”(NETP, 2010) Teaching in a school district implementing this goal would be exceptional.

        The fourth goal of the National Educational Technology Plan is infrastructure: “All students and educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for learning, when and where they need it.” (NETP, 2010) If teachers had the tools and infrastructure they needed, imagine how effective and efficient their jobs work be.

        The fifth goal of the National Educational Technology Plan is productivity; “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.” (NETP, 2010) Productivity will take competent, goal driven administrators to accomplish this goal.

        Our country has a huge undertaking to implement change. “Redesigning education in America for improved productivity is a complex challenge that will require all 50 states; the thousands of districts and schools across the county, the federal government, and other education stakeholders in the public and private sector, to come together to design and implement innovative solutions. It is a challenge for educators, leaders, teachers, and policy makers committed to learning—as well as technologists, and ideally; they will come together, to lead the effort.” (NETP, 2010) I see a great need, for change in our nation’s schools; especially in technology. The National Educational Technology Plan is a good place to start. I hope to be on the forefront of this change as it is implemented.



Reference:

U. S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. (2010). Transforming american education: learning powered by technology. draft national educational technology plan 2010