The homework assignments for my class are posted on a homework website along with the homework for all other 7th grade teachers at my school. A link to our online science, math and social studies textbook is also posted on my school webpage. If you had a question about classroom procedures or lost a homework assignment, all this could be downloaded from my school webpage. I am available approximately 18 hours a day through email (I am a normal person contrary to my students’ belief and need some sleep)? Wouldn’t it be nice if all my students had access to a computer with internet and a working printer? There would be no logistical excuse for missing an assignment. I wish I had such resources when I was in school.
The US Department of Education has devised a plan to bring all of students, teachers and schools in the 21st century in the technology department. In the plan set up by the US Department of Education five main areas of concentration are addressed: learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure and productivity. Each area of concentration has 4 or 5 smaller objectives set up to be accomplished. The entire plan seems to be nicely summarized by these five areas of concentration and accompanying smaller objectives. At first glance, I think this is nicely done and will be easy to follow.
Once I really dig into the goals set up in this plan I realize they seem to be ambiguous at best. Or are they just so board and ambitious that they seem ambiguous? Don’t get me wrong, I would like for our entire school system in the United States to be on the cutting edge of technology as much as the next person, however I don’t believe that this plan is going to get us there. There didn’t seem to be a road map with directions, just a list of destinations. Wait, I admit I did only read the summary. Well, let’s take a look at the 114 pg document instead of the 14 pg summary.
Guess what! No directions, just reasons and explanation why the destinations were decided upon. Okay back to my previous train of thought. How are local and state departments of education suppose to accomplish this? When should each of the goals be accomplished and how do we know that we accomplished them? Will states define each goal differently? Where is the funding for the infrastructure going to come from for this plan? Are the states or local school systems going to fund it? For example, are the local school districts to make sure every student has access to a computer and internet all the time (see goal 4.1 and 4.2)? Uhh, I really like the ideas set forth but how about helping us out on accomplishing this ambitious goal! . . . Just another plan set up by the powers at be for the everyday miracle workers to figure out and implement.
Works Cited
United States Department of Education. (2010). National Education Technology Plan 2010: Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology. Executive Summary. Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Education.
Hello fellow miracle worker,
ReplyDeleteYes, I am sure the writers of this national technology plan want to give us broad guidlines with the ability to develop our own means to reaching these standards. This is a mixed blessing as you mentioned, great ideas, but no way to pay for it.
I have spent the better part of a decade having fundraisers, scrimping and reusing, applying for grants, you name it, I have probably tried it to raise money to purchase new equipment for our small school.
I think we need to focus on the fact some in our government at least sees the importance of providing guidelines for the implementation of technology, and as always, we as teachers will find a way to make it happen.