National Education Plan

The National Educational Technology Plan, released by the U.S. Department of Education, contains many goals geared to transforming American education. To transform may mean to change the composition or structure of our education using technology, but more likely may mean to change the outward appearance of our technology education.  The classroom teachers will first need to undergo a transformation of ideals and teaching style.  Of course, the Plan does provide several five essential goals to help teachers undergo this transformation.

One goal is to model learning by engaging and empowering students.  Teaching must coincide with what needs to be learned.  Technology should be used to motivate and inspire on a personalized level for all students. Teachers may question how to teach what needs to be learned when we are teaching for jobs that are not even created yet.

Modeling learning using technology to connect teachers to unlimited resources is another goal of the plan. This goal is assuming teachers will respond to the vast amount of information available and utilize the information in a way that is beneficial to their classrooms.

Redesigning the classroom to rely on technology for individualized learning is another goal.  This transformation requires use of technology by students as early as 3 years old through graduation from college.  This goal sets out to monitor the students’ progress from beginning to end.  Again, before the classroom transformation can begin, the classroom teacher must be knowledgeable in the modifications. 

Another goal is to implement improved measurements of strengths and weaknesses of students and using the assessments to help improve the student’s performance.  This goal relies heavily on using data on individual students and designing individual plans for continued educational improvement.  This goal states ‘…to measure what matters…’ but the question may arise, “What matters?”

The fifth goal plans for an inclusive technology system that allows all involved with education the resources for continued growth.  Budgets will have to be set aside for the implementation of this necessary goal.  Before the other goals may be realized, the comprehensive infrastructure may need to be in place, and this will take long-range planning.

It is important for education to undergo a transformation in both learning and teaching in our rapidly changing World.  The U.S. Department of Education has set forth long-range plans to address the needs.  The question is can we keep up with the changes as they occur at a faster pace?