National Educational Technology Plan

In order for America to compete on a global scale and see economic improvements, we must focus on education. The National Educational Technology Plan provides insight into areas of focus to help improve our educational system. Educational Goals outlined by the NETP include increasing the number of college graduates from 39% to 60% and closing achievement gaps related to race and income. The NETP provides 5 key areas of focus: learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity.
In regards to learning, key areas of focus are critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration. Regardless of a student’s chosen area of focus or expertise, we must work to connect learning to the real world and expand a student’s ability to pose their own questions in order to further their learning.
Assessments need to measure 21st century competencies. If possible, they should be technology based. I think that this is a great idea, unfortunately this is not the same message that educators are receiving from the state of Texas.
The NETP highlights the connected teaching model where teachers work together to educate their students. Using multiple educators and multiple teaching strategies will provide a diverse education for the student. A key area of improvement is professional development. Current professional development is often administered in the ‘sit and get’ format where a presenter talks and talks and teachers sit and sit. Professional development must become hands on and collaborative in order for teachers to pass that style down to their students. Also, online professional developments should be implemented.
A system of 24/7 learning where students and teachers have constant access to information and opportunity was an important aspect of improving technology as it relates to infrastructure. This is a great concept which allows students to constantly be connected to information.
Finally, productivity was addressed. This area provided conflicting information. It suggested a redesign of the traditional schedule and structure of schools allowing for flex scheduling and class times. This sounds great, but I wonder if they thought about the how aspect of this proposed change. I think that there are changes that need to be made to the structure of schools, but again, funding is a problem that I am not sure was considered.