Looking at the technology plans at the national, state, and district level has been really informative. There seems to be an overwhelming trend. Technology use needs to move beyond students using technology to engaging students using technology. I saw the word engagement clearly in each plan, and I think that is really important in determining where our schools need to go next in terms of technology. I think that many of us use technology in our classrooms, but are we really engaging our students?
There was another buzz word that I saw in each plan that I browsed: FUNDING. I guess it's kind of funny that I hadn't really thought about funding. In these days and times, money (or lack of) is obviously a huge issue. In the state plan, I saw a break down of funding for each year and I was really shocked at the decrease from year to year. At this point, it seems like technology would have more funding than ever, but, in this economy, I can see that that is not the case.
I liked how each plan mentioned global economy or a global outlook (especially the national plan). The United States really has a lot of catching up to do with many of the other countries across the world. It is time that our students become technology literate so that can be successful in the "real world."
Overall, I can say that I am thoroughly enlightened about our current realities and where our technology vision is headed. The state plan was very easy for me to go through and pull information from. I found it to be a valuable tool. The national plan has a lot of valuable information, but it did feel a little overwhelming. I have noticed that simple, easy-to-read language really is the best route to take when developing a technology plan. Also, goals and strategies need to be clearly layed out. The purpose of a technology plan is to guide educators in taking their technology use to the next level. If the technology plan is hard to read or understand, then I am probably going to have a hard implementing my plan.
P.S. Interesting Fact That I Learned from the National Plan - A well functioning, up-to-date media center and media center specialist has a direct correlation with student achievement in a school building. I found that fact interesting because I haven't really thought about the media center in terms of student achievement before. Looking at this fact, it makes me think that it would probably be beneficial to include the media center in a local school's technology plan - especially if student achievement is at stake!
As I read I too thought about the funding. You would think the more money would be out into tevhnogy especially being that see live in the 21st century. The United States at one time was considered the place to go for education but if we do dont give our students the proper education with technology as well other countries may take over.
ReplyDeleteI think the problem is that there is more focus being put pin othr areas without taking technology into consideration. I think I said this before but I am in a Title I school and teachers are getting new computers however rather yhan turn the old computers to student computers the rumor is that hey are going to be C-50ed (or put in storage.) st my school there is only one student computer in each classroom. This is such a waste.
I tried to locate my county's technology plan but as unsuccessful. When I asked about it I was always directed to the website. I don't know what I'm looking for. The only thing I could find was something in regards to teaching technology to help prepare 8th-12th graders for life careers.
I agree with you when you say that if a technology an is hard to read or understand or operate for that matter then it may be hard to implement it. I found the national plan a little hard to operate myself and I was a little frustrated.
You talked about the media. Center and media specialist as being a direct correlation with student achievement I. the school building. I served as a para pro. For three and a half tears I. Ny county before becoming a teacher. While at this previous schools the media specialist inky read to the students. At my new school the specialist uses the activboard, lap tops and actually teaches the students how to navigate. There is a big difference in the school. Funny... I never thought about the media specialist as a direct correlation either.
I agree with your statement about engaging students with technology. Engagement seems to be the key with education and technology!
ReplyDeleteYou and Correna noticed the same thing in the budget of technology. I was also shocked to see that funding is decreasing at a time when technology is booming!
Reading all tech plans helped me to see where we are going in education. I also noticed there was an emphasis on going beyond education and implementing technology into the workforce and everyday life. Our students already use technology everyday, we just need to take what they know and implement it into the classroom.
I feel very enlightened after reading through all the plans. While the national plan was overwhelming to me too, the state and county plans gave me some things to relate to and plan for. Did you notice the goal of having 1 computer per every 3 students? That was exciting! I hope that goal becomes a reality. Not sure if it will happen based on the budget info you and Correna pointed out.
ReplyDeleteOur media specialist is very involved with the technology components at our school. She is the head of our media/technology committee at school. She is also the voice that speaks to our PTA and school foundation when are there are technology interests voiced by the teachers (like when I mentioned how great if would be if we had Flip video cameras that we could check out and use with the students). Probably won't get the Flip cameras for a while, but it was worth the shot. It was just one of the ideas I had about engaged learning. That's the goal, too.