National Educational Technology Plan: Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology; posting #3

The National Technology Plan 2010 was drafted in March by the Office of Educational Technology/US Department of Education. Under the new Obama administration, education has become priority driven with two specific goals. Having student’s graduate from college and for them to be prepared to be competitive in our global society. This plan was put forth and calls for a revolutionary transformation of the American Education System. As we stand now only 39% of our population holds a college degree and by centering our educational system on a 21^st Century model of learning powered by technology. Readjusting our model of teaching from a sit and get old style, to a more collaborative classroom was step one, now we need to collaborate with people who are from different economic and social backgrounds. Asking all stakeholders to think how, when and where learning will take place will start our students thinking more globally. Bringing technology to all students regardless of background or socio-economic status is priority number one. 21^st century learning mandates better ways to assess and determine what matters and how to improve student performance. We need to build capacity in teaching by educating ourselves and educational preparatory programs on the scope of teaching to include teams of connected resources. Our teachers will need the tools to become experts in providing instruction that is assessable 24/7/365. As our student’s homes and lives become more technological advanced we need schools to look the same ways. The infrastructure of technology necessary to provide this type of learning and access to information is a critical component and will require much effort and funding by the districts and states and nation. Our main goal as 21^st Century society for learning challenges educators to create students who are knowledgeable, ethical, and able to participate in a global economy.

A sense of urgency is expressed through out this document and rightly so. As we reach tough times with a lack of funding to even support a number of teachers in the classroom we are not offering students and teachers’ access to the latest advancements in technology the farther behind we fall on an international level. We must prepare out students for success. If we can get this plan into place, it will most definitely transform the 21^st century classroom.