The National Educational Technology Plan

The National Educational Technology Plan focuses on five main areas to address goals for the 21st century. The areas are Learning, Assessment, Teaching, Infrastructure, and Productivity. The areas focus around education which is fundamental building block to improving our economy, solving new and rising problems, and ensuring all citizens have the opportunity to be successful and contribute to society. We no longer are competing against ourselves; we are now competing in a global society.

Leaning must engage and empower students to become competitive and productive in our global market. Therefore it’s important to define what and how we teach. The goal is that what we teach will match what students need to learn. It’s also important to understand how students learn and adapt our strategies to meet their needs. Technology is powerful to that can enable us to accomplish these goals. Today’s technology can prepare and equip all students. It knocks down the walls that once separated our communities. No longer does language, disabilities, or races have to divide. Technology is a tool that breaks those barriers and brings us together and gives us all equal opportunities to succeed.

We must measure what is really important and has significant priority. Assessment needs to identify strengths and weaknesses quickly in order to make adjustments during the learning process. Assessment must not only come at the end of a course, but it must be effectively used throughout the course from beginning to end. Technology can bring that benefit into the learning process. Real time data allows teachers and instructors to make the necessary modifications for individual students or whole group learners so that time spent in the learning environment is productive and beneficial.

Technology also serves the instructors by improving the quality of teaching, instruction and its delivery. Technology can provide professional development at any time, any place for any content.

The infrastructure is the underlining component that drives this train. It is a project that must be maintained and updated frequently. It is a major task that’s a collaborative effort from all parties.

Ultimately the goal in education is productivity. Is what we are doing effective? This requires transparency which improves decisions by modifying directions. It also improves and eases the financial responsibility that comes along with using technology to improve our society.