National Educational Technology Plan

By the year 2020, there is an expectation that 60% of the American people will have some sort of post-High School degree. In order to accomplish this goal, the Department of Education has indicated the need for technological advancement in the nation’s educational system. This includes attaining goals and implementing recommendations in these five areas.
• Learning
• Assessment
• Teaching
• Infrastructure
• Productivity
Learning goals revolve around the premise that technology implementation in all curriculums will improve learning. Schools must strive to make learning more personalized. This means that, through the use of technology, teachers and curriculum specialists should design individualized learning plans to meet the differing student populations and these plans should also mirror real-world realities to build the connection between the classroom and practical application. Students must be afforded options to reach objectives, be provided with tools (internet access, etc.), and real-world scenarios to improve learning.
Improvements in modes of assessment and the analysis of those results can be improved through the use of technology. Teachers (schools) must be trained to effectively provide multiple modes of assessment (through the use of different forms of technology) to provide students with opportunities to create products in their most successful way and increase competence with various types of technology. Additionally, teachers must be trained to use technology to analyze assessment results as a way to improve instruction, learning, and identify areas of weakness.
Technology must be used to improve the art of teaching as well. Through online collaboration and involvement in PLCs, teachers can make improvements in many areas (classroom management, curriculum, instructional delivery methodology, assessment protocols, and awareness of available resources). Online PLCs can serve to provide specific and meaningful professional development, allow students to access their teachers after school hours, and help educators stay up to date on technological advancements.
When discussing technology infrastructure as it relates to school, the different components include: people, resources, hardware and software, and network capabilities. The main goal within this plan is for all students to have at least one internet-accessible tool available to them at all times. Other concerns and goals involve keeping technology costs low, keeping networks and students safe, providing diverse tools to meet various student needs, and expanding the classroom to worldwide cooperatives.
Schools must be able to use technology to monitor the previously mentioned areas in need of improvement. Schools should be able to gather and analyze all sorts of data, assess effectiveness of their initiatives and programs, and make informed decisions concerning improvement and cost effectiveness.