Please read and respond to the blog posts of your group members. In your groups, come up with three quality questions for Karen Cator about the National Education Technology Plan and her ACU presentation.
1. If Obama is not elected as President of the United States for the next term will the educational technology continue? Will there still be funding?
2. How would you plan on educating all teachers when striving for a more digital classroom?
3. Will there be a program for all individuals to be educated with technology or is this primarily for students in a classroom setting?
4. Is there also a movement for making a digital classroom adaptable for students with disabilities?
Reaction to the National Education Technology Plan (Executive Summary)
Collaboration in the classroom is most important and I believe that technology in the classroom is the key to making that work effectively between students, teachers, parents and other faculty. This article describes that in the year 2020 people of our nation will either have a 2 year or 4 year degree and students will be more prepared to enter college. Technology allows students to learn in many different ways such as distance education if the student is not able to attend an actual school or make things easier for students in a regular classroom setting. Overall this article was very good and had lot's of good information how technology is going to be improved and how it will be used in and out of the classroom. It describes how technology can be used for assessment and how it can help students and teachers both teach and learn together. After reading this article I really did appreciate how it describes, "seat-time" and how that old method does not work in today's world. Technology has improved all over the world and it was good to hear that technology will be integrated in more schools nationwide to ensure quality instruction from teachers that will reach more students whether they be in a classroom or a distance virtual classroom setting. I have read many articles describing that technology should be improved, but never had a clear answer as to how it would be done. This article clearly shows how the technology will be implemented. I like how the article also describes the challenges and what we must all do collaboratively to accomplish the goal of more digital classrooms across the country. I do strongly agree that we need the improvement of technology to stay globally competitive in the global economy. I guess the question though is that can this really be pulled off in ten years. In my opinion it is tough to say because the economy right now is not at it's best so I believe that our money will be put elsewhere. For me personally I would like to see multiple computers, a smart board and learning centers in each and every classroom, but they may not be a reality in ten years. Although I always look at the class as half full I do believe it can be done it just may take a little bit longer than projected. I have seen the good and bad with technology usage in the classroom for those with little to virtually no funding for technology, those who have it and don't use it all and those that have it and use it daily and teach students how to use the many resources that technology can provide. From what I understand about this article and about the technology movement for a more digital classroom I can clearly see that we are headed in the right direction and educational technology standards should be put in place because technology is the future. Without this very technology we would not have this EDT 510 class online or at all. Good article and please feel free to comment below. Have a great day.
I think that 60% of our population earning 2-4 year degrees by 2020 is a rather lofty and unnecessary goal. If one of the principles behind this plan is to allow learners to pursue their own interests and tailor their education to their own specifications, why do we need to set such a goal? Hopefully students will be able to take a more direct route to achieving their educational and professional goals whether achievement of those goals requires a college degree or not.
ReplyDeleteI understand what your saying, but my guess is that a goal had to be set so the movement of educational technology could move forward. Have you ever set a goal that you didn't quite achieve, but came very close? I'm sure that another goal will be set for 2030, but the good part is that more students will be reached in varying school districts to help ensure that their quality of education is at no less than an average standard. Although results may vary depending on each school district eventually the end result will be the same because we will be helping more students everyday this movement goes forward.
DeleteI agree that the goals set by the geovernment are lofty and a little bit unreasonable. We will always need mechanics and chefs who do not have 2 or 4 year college degrees. I understand that we want to represent ourselves as a world power but why does the fixation always need to be on college. Many hardworking people in America have made a great life for themselves without the need to step into a college classroom. I think if we as teachers train ourselves on some of this new technology we can create a whole new world for our students without applying extra pressure on them.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with what you are saying, however college is still a good place for a young man or woman to grow and up and mature rather than going out into the world at 18 or 19 years old. College is more than just academics, reading and exams it's about discovering yourself as a person and allowing you to have the tools so you can be successful later in life. What would happen if the economy went south again then where would those people with only a high school diploma/GED or certificate be?
DeleteI agree that the goal of 2020 is a bit far-fetched, and probably not realistic given the current standings. Why should we force students who are not "college material" or who do not wish to attend college, to obtain 2 or 4 year degrees? There are so many jobs that do not require degrees. In addition, if all people were to obtain 2 or 4 year degrees, what would happen to the job market and those of us who chose to get a 2 or 4 year degree when it was an option?
ReplyDeleteI can see what your saying about the jobs today not needing a 2 or 4 year degree, but what if you could get those certificates in a college setting and still earn the same degree? I believe that it would help younger students (graduating high school) to have a little bit more time to mature and grow up. However, as of now your point is valid, but in the near future even the lower level jobs will require way beyond a high school diploma or GED.
DeleteI can see what your saying about the jobs today not needing a 2 or 4 year degree, but what if you could get those certificates in a college setting and still earn the same degree? I believe that it would help younger students (graduating high school) to have a little bit more time to mature and grow up. However, as of now your point is valid, but in the near future even the lower level jobs will require way beyond a high school diploma or GED.
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