Reviewing Our Nation's Plan

In reviewing the National Educational Technology Plan 2010, It is clear that our nation is moving towards an education system that supports the needs of learners in the future.   This can be seen in this plan in many ways. This plan opens with an executive summary, explaining the needs of several education areas including Learning, Teaching, Infrastructure and Production.  It also spells out specific goals of the plan for each category. 

In the plans introduction, it is clear that our nation’s leaders have a concern for the direction of education.  This concern is centered on relevancy.  As students spend their afterschool hours with cell phones and laptops, why should they not use those same tools for education?  These leaders recognize the need for the US to be the leader in education, and are pushing for this technology to be used, not only for increased learning, but equity as well. 

In learning, it is important that we provide students with real learning opportunities.  Real, meaning, relative, applicable and progressive.  The future of technology in careers is forever developing.  Students must learn to prepare themselves for this type of world through technology education.  Students will learn using media based projects, networking and collaboration.

In addition, our Assessment techniques must change.  The standardized test must be phased out and replaced with technology based production assessments that illustrate problem solving and critical thinking.

Teachers will be moving from an isolated, facilitator role to a connected, networking role in this plan.  Teaching will be tied to immediate feedback, data, an opportunity to analyze a students learning.  With the use of technology, teachers will have students gain access to whole new levels of information; thus, increasing the critical thinking level of the student.  With the recent change in technology, and the ever-changing state of it in the future, professional development will be key.

Infrastructure will also be key.  Providing students the opportunity to access wireless and broadband connections at their own campuses on their own devices will drive what infrastructure is all about.  Access to information on the web will be vital.  Consolidating and upgrading equipment and servers will increase efficiency. 

When it comes down to it, Productivity is what really matters.  As the President has challenged education to increase college graduation rates to 60%, it is important for educational leaders to analyze their processes and budgets, as well as the effectiveness of technology.  As the business world has used technology to streamline results and productivity, so must the world of education; this will not be something that occurs overnight.  Districts and States need to take their time and use sure fire analysis in making decisions on how to improve productivity.

In conclusion, I found this national plan to be quite comprehensive and well thought out.  As technology continues to advance, so must education.  If our future will be dependent on these and new technologies, then it is vital that our education system embrace it for the benefit of our future citizens.