National Educational Technology Plan: Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology - A Reflection

The U.S. Department of Education released a draft of the National Educational Technology Plan: Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology. The two main goals in this plan for technology are to increase the college graduate from high school and that he/she be competently prepared to enter college and the working world.

The U.S. Department of Education believes that our educators must be better equipped to meet the demands that the 21st century learners. Students are very diverse and educators must teach them in ways that are beneficial to them. Students can not be continually taught the same way because they are changing as technology and the world around them changes. A variety of professional development strategies have to be implemented. Teachers and leaders must work collaboratively in technology advancements. Students can be actively involved in this process. In the plan, it states that "schools must be more than information factories; they must be incubators of exploration and invention. Educators must be more than information experts; they must be collaborators in learning, seeking new knowledge and constantly acquiring new skills alongside their students" (U.S. Department of Education, 2010). Planning, budgeting, and time must be allowed to educators so that they are prepared for the 21st century learners.

I feel students are more technologically advanced and are learning faster than educators can. It is important for school leaders and teachers to keep up with advancements and understand that students are learning to multi-task with technologies all around them. We all must understand how students are learning differently with all these advancements in technology.

Reference:

U.S. Department of Education (2010). Transforming American Education:
Learning Powered by Technology. Washington: U.S. Department of
Education.