Blog #3 Summary and Reflection

Summary and Reflection of the National Educational Technology Plan (Draft 2010)


The National Educational Technology Plan (NETP) specifically calls for a transformation in education to provide engaging and inspiring learning experiences with technology-based learning. The plan helps educators to gather data, collaborate, and assess student achievement in more powerful and meaningful ways. Technology should help educators to utilize more collaborative teaching strategies, access training that will enhance professional abilities, and to increase productivity at all levels. All learners need experiences that include technology to create and personalize their learning. Those experiences should reflect 21st century learning goals which include critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and decision making that can make positive contributions to a technology driven world. All learners should utilize data to drive decision making and should be able to assess and diagnose strengths and weaknesses. Teachers should use technology and technology skills to connect to resources and other classrooms for continual opportunities to expand professional learning and effective teaching practices. Teachers need current training and current infrastructure to implement technology and its vast uses for themselves and their students. The NETP urges educators to embrace the importance of teaching, learning, and professional development. It is a fast-paced and interactive time in technology and these goals require leadership that invests in its students, communities, and world partners in this process. The five goals and recommendations that accompany those goals, are for states, districts, federal government, and educational stakeholders. #1. Learning should be engaging and prepare students to be active and creative in a global society. #2. Assessment should measure what matters and should be used to make continuous improvement. #3. Teaching is connective to many forms of technology and experiences should enhance teaching for all learners. #4. The Infrastructure should support purposeful learning goals and will be adequate and effective. #5. The productivity in education will take full advantage of the powerful and meaningful uses of technology. It will design, implement, and evaluate technology and will ensure that learners are prepared for the 21st century world. In this plan, it discusses the grand challenge problems in education research and development. The problems discussed require collaborative problem solving strategies from stakeholders from different fields. This plan makes it very clear that technology is a "Driver of Change". Technology has expanded and broadened the information highway and has allowed education to rapidly grow its student expectations and experiences. Technology has leveled the playing field for those that have the resources to incorporate and maintain technology. This plan has relevant and reachable goals, but there needs to be leadership in place to constantly review and assess those goals and measure if they are being reached efficiently and effectively.



Office of Educational Technology U.S. Department of Education. Transforming American Education: DRAFT. National Educational Technology Plan 2010. March 5, 2010