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ED releases final version of National Ed-Tech Plan
For technology to transform education, we need to fundamentally change how schools operate, Sec. Duncan says
Education Secretary Arne Duncan said he hopes the new national ed-tech plan will finally unleash technology's potential to improve learning.
The final version of the new National Educational Technology Plan (NETP) includes a focus on individualized instruction and connectivity, and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said meeting the plan’s goals will help the nation’s students enter college and the workforce prepared to compete on a global level.
Duncan unveiled the final version at the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) Education Forum on Nov. 9, about eight months after the federal Education Department (ED) issued a first draft of the plan and solicited comments from ed-tech stakeholders.
“If we accomplish all of these goals, we’ll have realized the advance potential for technology to prepare students for success in the internationally competitive, knowledge-based economy,” Duncan said.
Duncan outlined the five main goals covered in the plan:
- Using educational technology to fundamentally change the learning process by making it more engaging and tailored to individual student needs and interests;
- Using ed tech to develop a new generation of assessments;
- Connecting teachers with their peers and experts so they are always up-to-date on the resources available to them;
- Building infrastructure that lets schools support access to technology in and out of the classroom; and
- Harnessing the power of educational technology to increase school district productivity and student achievement.
Duncan noted that the federal Race to the Top program is supporting the creation of next-generation assessments in more than 40 states. These new assessments will be aligned with the Common Core standards in English and math, and they will take advantage of technology’s power to deliver instant results that more accurately reflect students’ abilities. He expressed hope that the new assessments, which are expected to be ready by the 2014-15 school year, will let teachers develop individualized learning plans for their students.
“I am convinced these new assessments will be an absolute game changer for public education,” Duncan said. “For the first time, millions of school children, parents, and teachers will really know if students are on track for college or careers—[and] if they’re ready to enter college without the need for remedial instruction.”
Duncan said many schools have yet to realize educational technology’s true potential to transform learning into a more personalized and productive process. He also said ed tech will never replace the need for great teachers.
3 Responses to ED releases final version of National Ed-Tech Plan
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gramola
November 10, 2010 at 1:27 pm
The new tech plan is the first step in the right direction. It is just too bad that the DOE wasted 100 billion in stimulus money to do the opposite. We could have developed virtual courses for every k12 subject and made them availble to all states instead of each , school, county and state duplicating the process on their own. We could have offered every citizen a free online college education supported by the money wasted from the Pell Grant program each year. However , instead we waste all of the funds on the bottom 10% while making the other 90% dumber and dumber.
gramola
November 10, 2010 at 1:27 pm
The new tech plan is the first step in the right direction. It is just too bad that the DOE wasted 100 billion in stimulus money to do the opposite. We could have developed virtual courses for every k12 subject and made them availble to all states instead of each , school, county and state duplicating the process on their own. We could have offered every citizen a free online college education supported by the money wasted from the Pell Grant program each year. However , instead we waste all of the funds on the bottom 10% while making the other 90% dumber and dumber.
johnnykissko
November 11, 2010 at 12:56 am
Great article. I really hope we start to see more governmental support through increased funding for mobile technology in education. The new e-rate guidelines are a great start – let’s just hope pilot program translates into continual support in the future.
I recently wrote an article describing 7 questions educators should ask prior to adopting any mobile technology in their classroom (http://www.k12mobilelearning.com/?p=1157). Although there are certainly other factors to consider, these seven umbrella many areas of concern.
Ease of access and community support are two factors that must be addressed. Although I’m a fan of Twitter to cultivate a PLN, I would like to see something like Twitter dedicated toward educators. I guess the biggest downside to that is you close yourself off to just educators as oppposed to people from all walks of life on Twitter.
Nonetheless, it’s exciting to see what the future holds!
johnnykissko
November 11, 2010 at 12:56 am
Great article. I really hope we start to see more governmental support through increased funding for mobile technology in education. The new e-rate guidelines are a great start – let’s just hope pilot program translates into continual support in the future.
I recently wrote an article describing 7 questions educators should ask prior to adopting any mobile technology in their classroom (http://www.k12mobilelearning.com/?p=1157). Although there are certainly other factors to consider, these seven umbrella many areas of concern.
Ease of access and community support are two factors that must be addressed. Although I’m a fan of Twitter to cultivate a PLN, I would like to see something like Twitter dedicated toward educators. I guess the biggest downside to that is you close yourself off to just educators as oppposed to people from all walks of life on Twitter.
Nonetheless, it’s exciting to see what the future holds!
wallace
November 16, 2010 at 6:47 am
The plan looks and sounds great. Unfortunately, knowing how things really are in the classroom for 12 years, the idealism can stunt this IF administration keeps their hands in all of this. Many of the 5 points are already at work in our schools. Teachers do lack support that varies from equipment, teacher aides and administration. One of the 5 points that this plan focuses on really hits a nerve.
■ Connecting teachers with their peers and experts so they are always up-to-date on the resources available to them
There is so much red tape involved with technology and having the curriculum already set that these “up-to-date” resources are a pipe dream. Too many schools are not technology-ready. Take the SMART BOARD for example. If there isn’t a dedicated line for the set up, it is virtually just a projection screen. The calibration is very touchy and getting the correct software is as comfortable as pulling teeth without anesthetic. Many districts have a closed network with rights and privileges so lock-tight that teachers have to make decisions practically a year in advance for curriculum and technology needs. A lot more than just the 5 points of this plan need to take place. I wish it was different, but the truth still stands.
wallace
November 16, 2010 at 6:47 am
The plan looks and sounds great. Unfortunately, knowing how things really are in the classroom for 12 years, the idealism can stunt this IF administration keeps their hands in all of this. Many of the 5 points are already at work in our schools. Teachers do lack support that varies from equipment, teacher aides and administration. One of the 5 points that this plan focuses on really hits a nerve.
■ Connecting teachers with their peers and experts so they are always up-to-date on the resources available to them
There is so much red tape involved with technology and having the curriculum already set that these “up-to-date” resources are a pipe dream. Too many schools are not technology-ready. Take the SMART BOARD for example. If there isn’t a dedicated line for the set up, it is virtually just a projection screen. The calibration is very touchy and getting the correct software is as comfortable as pulling teeth without anesthetic. Many districts have a closed network with rights and privileges so lock-tight that teachers have to make decisions practically a year in advance for curriculum and technology needs. A lot more than just the 5 points of this plan need to take place. I wish it was different, but the truth still stands.