According to the National Education Technology Plan (NETP) by 2020 the Obama administration would like to raise the proportion of college graduates and close the the achievement gap so that all students graduate high school ready to succed in college and careers. (NETP, 2010) For this to happen our education system must be clear about the outcomes we seek, collaborate to redesign structures and processes for effectiveness, efficiency, and flexibility, continually monitor and measure our performance, and hold ourselves accountable for progress and results every step of the way. (NETP, 2010)
The NETP has five key areas with goals and recommendations. They are that “All learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both in and outside of school that prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society. Our education system at all levels will leverage the power of technology to measure what matters and use assessment data for continuous improvement. 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. All students and educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for learning when and where they need it. 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) Technology is the key.
According to the NETP in the area of teaching and learning using technology is imperative. Because of the global communities we have access to now, learners must be able to function in the technological world we live in and educators must be able to teach it. This can only be done if we as educators focus on what and how we teach and implement technology. No more textbooks. We as educators today must realize that our students today have access to the whole wide world and we need to use it to make the learning environment and experience more engaging. Not only do the students have access to a global learning environment we as educators have access to more educators to collaborate with and an abundance of resources to use. Teaching and learning is no longer just while we are in school. Having a 21st century teaching and learning environment will bring about life long learners.
In regards to professional development and training the plan states the best way to prepare educators for 21st century teaching is for them to experience it. My question to this would be, “How does one experience it, if we don’t know how to use it?” According to the NETP, “Professional learning should support and develop educators’ identities as fluent users of advanced technology, creative and collaborative problem solvers, and adaptive, socially aware experts throughout their careers.” (NETP, 2010) Professional development in the area of technology is difficult and time consuming. One suggestion the plan gives is to use video-sharing tools. I like this because it enables me to watch at home anytime during the night. Another suggestion is social networking which allows for opportunities of collaboration and sharing of ideas.
To simply sum up I will use this quote from the NETP. “Today’s technology enables educators to tap into resources and orchestrate expertise across a school district or university, a state, the nation, and even around the world. Educators can discuss solutions to problems and exchange information about best practices in minutes, not weeks or months. Educators should have access to technology-based resources that inspire them to provide more engaging and effective learning opportunities and to do so more efficiently.” (NETP, 2010) In my opinion this does not just apply to professional learning but to student learning. If we are to actively engage student learning and transform the education system then we must jump head first into becoming a 21st century education to have 21st century learners.
Reference:
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. (2010). Transforming american education: learning powered by technology. draft national educational technology plan 2010
According to the NETP in the area of teaching and learning using technology is imperative. Because of the global communities we have access to now, learners must be able to function in the technological world we live in and educators must be able to teach it. This can only be done if we as educators focus on what and how we teach and implement technology. No more textbooks. We as educators today must realize that our students today have access to the whole wide world and we need to use it to make the learning environment and experience more engaging. Not only do the students have access to a global learning environment we as educators have access to more educators to collaborate with and an abundance of resources to use. Teaching and learning is no longer just while we are in school. Having a 21st century teaching and learning environment will bring about life long learners.
In regards to professional development and training the plan states the best way to prepare educators for 21st century teaching is for them to experience it. My question to this would be, “How does one experience it, if we don’t know how to use it?” According to the NETP, “Professional learning should support and develop educators’ identities as fluent users of advanced technology, creative and collaborative problem solvers, and adaptive, socially aware experts throughout their careers.” (NETP, 2010) Professional development in the area of technology is difficult and time consuming. One suggestion the plan gives is to use video-sharing tools. I like this because it enables me to watch at home anytime during the night. Another suggestion is social networking which allows for opportunities of collaboration and sharing of ideas.
To simply sum up I will use this quote from the NETP. “Today’s technology enables educators to tap into resources and orchestrate expertise across a school district or university, a state, the nation, and even around the world. Educators can discuss solutions to problems and exchange information about best practices in minutes, not weeks or months. Educators should have access to technology-based resources that inspire them to provide more engaging and effective learning opportunities and to do so more efficiently.” (NETP, 2010) In my opinion this does not just apply to professional learning but to student learning. If we are to actively engage student learning and transform the education system then we must jump head first into becoming a 21st century education to have 21st century learners.
Reference:
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. (2010). Transforming american education: learning powered by technology. draft national educational technology plan 2010
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