Blog #3 EDLD 5352 EA1210 National Educational Technology Plan

In the final blog for week 2 of our assignments, we were asked to write about the National goals and plans for schools. It was interesting to note the similarities of the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology in comparison to the National Educational Technology Plan. Many of the words were common to each plan including infrastructure, professional developing, learning, assessment, productivity and teaching. The NETP has recommended five goals for states, districts, federal government and other stakeholders in the education system. Goal 1.0 focuses on the Learner and states that all learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both in and outside of school that will prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society. Goal 2.0 focuses on Assessment and states that our education system at all levels will leverage the power of technology to measure what matters and use assessment data for continuous improvement. Goal 3.0 focuses on Teaching and states that professional educators will be supported individually and in teams by technology that connects them to data, content, resources, expertise, and learning experiences that enable and inspire more effective teaching for all learners. Goal 4.0 focuses on Infrastructure and states that all students and educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for learning when and where they need it. And finally goal 5.0 focuses on Productivity and states that our education system at all levels will redesign processes and structures to take advantage of the power of technology to improve learning outcomes while making more efficient use of time, money, and staff. In summarizing what all this means, one must focus on what is expected of the teaching and learning as well as the professional development. The NETP believes that in order to reach these goals teaching and learning must be connected teaching. Connected teaching occurs when there is innovative teaching, problem solving, creativity in the lesson plans, continuous improvement, assessments and flexible approaches to student learning. No longer is the teaching profession one of isolation but one of collaboration and connection. In addition, students are no longer simply sitting at their desks but actively participating in the lesson and allowed to grow as 21st century learners. In order for this to happen professional development for educators must be collaborative, consistent and continuous. Courses that expand upon prior knowledge allow educators to grow professionally and the added convenience of online learning allows educators to continue their education at their leisure. As an educator, I agree that no longer can we allow teaching and learning to be passive but rather proactive and innovative. Educators and learners of today will both be successful if they are working as a team to meet the needs of all individuals.