I do not question why the National Education Technology Plan was developed. Nor do I question the intentions of those who designed it. I do not question Karen Cator’s enthusiasm for sharing the ideals of this plan. Technology is not only the way of the future, but the way of the present. Its proper implementation needs to be a top priority in the world of education, and education needs to be a top priority for us all.
However, I did find myself questioning, how this plan is going be a success. As this plan continues to be implemented over the next two years…
- How will access to technological resources be made equitable among ALL learners when educational funding among different school districts is not currently equitable?
- How will this plan ensure that, if ALL learners have access to a device and educational content 24/7, they will be proficient in using them?
- How will a homeless high school student be motivated to use this new technology to learn, when he is worried about where he will be sleeping that night?
- How is this plan going to be fully implemented by 2014 as planned, when unfortunately some educators, including administrators, still don’t know that it exists?
Personally, I found Karen Cator to be inspiring due to her professionalism, knowledge, and passion. I too am passionate about technology and using it in my classroom, but I think that the use of technology needs to have a very specific instructional purpose. The use of technology for its own sake, or throwing technology at schools and students in hopes that it will solve an unknown or underlying problem will most likely be ineffective. I don’t think that the American education system is broken, but that it is a work in progress.
The principles upon which this plan is based are principles that I as an educator hold with utmost importance. We should teach the individual. Students should have personal choice in what and how they learn. Research on cognitive development and learning science should be the basis for curricular and instructional changes. However, with my current (relatively limited) understanding of the details of the National Education Technology Plan, I remain skeptical of its success by the year 2014.
I completely agree the thoughts are great and her excitement about it is undeniable, but how can it be accomplished? Like you mentioned above, what about the homeless and the less fortunate? I have students who currently live in a homeless shelter and even though they would love to learn the newest technology, that is not one of the top five or even the top ten concerns in their life. Where they will sleep or eat is an issue for them. I truly hope though that this will be implemented for ALL one day, but like you said 2014?? I don't think so. I just hope they find a way for ALL and not just a way to accommodate the fortunate.
ReplyDeleteI was comforted to read you have doubts about how the plan can be successfully implemented, just like I did. I was afraid I was being too cynical at first. As an educator, I try to remain positive but I also like to be realistic. The plan would be revolutionary if it could be implemented fully and completely. However, I work for a large school district and have seen state and district initiatives come down the line, only to be done away with because they either aren't funded fully or aren't implemented correctly. I believe the largest problem with the plan is funding. Many districts have funds to implement technology to fullest, however just as many are struggling to minimize layoffs and have little to no funding for new technology.
ReplyDeleteScott,
ReplyDeleteI share many of you same concerns...and I know that 2014 is just not realistic given where we are and where we need to go for the full implementation. I teach at a Title I school and I feel that technology is just one item on a laundry list of our needs as a school and as a district. I love utilizing technology when it can bring a new dynamic to my classroom or a new point of access for my students, but I am a rarity in my school. Even with our district transformation to Apple products, there are still teachers who complain and refuse to make changes to their ways. In the end, not only do our students have needs, but our teachers and staff members have needs in order for technology to have its full educational impact.
So if we give every student and teacher a connected device will it change schools? I think we can make some big leaps forward if we make education a national priority. It's so hard to not be political about this. In my opinion, if we provide students with the tools they need, plus a highly qualified teacher in their classroom, we are on the right track. Clearly there are lots of other issues and obstacles to student success. .
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